Japan's Captain Endo Aims for Glory in 2026 FIFA World Cup

Synopsis

Wataru Endo, captain of Japan's national football team, declared the team's ambition to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup after qualifying first. He called on fans to share this vision as they embark on their journey to impact the tournament in North America.

Key Takeaways

Japan has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Wataru Endo believes Japan can win the tournament.
Endo emphasizes the importance of fan expectations.
Japan's strong performance in the AFC Asian Qualifiers.
Continuous improvement is essential for the team's success.

Saitama, March 22 (NationPress) Wataru Endo stated that Japan has the potential to win the FIFA World Cup 2026, having become the first nation to secure qualification. The Liverpool star encouraged supporters to embrace this ambitious goal.

Japan triumphed over Bahrain with a score of 2-0 during their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 2026 Group C matchup on Thursday, successfully securing their spot for next year's tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico after a commanding qualifying campaign.

The four-time Asian champions have not progressed past the last 16 in a FIFA World Cup, yet Captain Endo addressed the fans on the field post-match, imploring them to have faith in their ability to lift the trophy next summer.

"I felt it was important for them to hear my message. Qualifying for the World Cup marks a significant milestone, and I wanted to convey our aspirations not just to the players, but also to the fans," Endo remarked, as reported by FIFA.com.

Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo netted second-half goals, contributing to Japan's impressive record of six wins and one draw from seven matches thus far in the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.

This victory secured their passage to their eighth consecutive FIFA World Cup, and Endo mentioned that supporters now view their qualification as a given.

"If fans believe we will qualify, we must rise to those expectations. Our ambition is not merely to qualify for the World Cup but to make a significant impact, and that is the next frontier for Japan. I want people to hold those expectations for us," he added.

Japan will face Saudi Arabia at home on Tuesday, concluding their campaign with matches against Australia and Indonesia in June.

Crystal Palace striker Kamada emphasized the need for continuous improvement to make a statement next summer in North America.

"We must maximize our individual talents. We have exceptional players, yet there remains room for growth. As we enhance our skills individually, we will draw closer to our aspirations.

"Modern matches are longer, and it involves more than just eleven players," he noted. "While I aspire to start, there are advantages to contributing from the bench as well," he concluded.