Endo encourages Japan squad after draw: "We fought back to earn a draw; let's win the next one!"

In the early morning of June 15 , in the first round of the FIFA World Cup Group F group stage, Japan faced the Netherlands, and the match ultimately ended in a 2-2 draw.

After the match, Japan international Endo posted on social media to encourage the team, writing: "We fought hard to equalize, let's win the next match!"

Three days before Japan's FIFA World Cup group stage campaign began, the Japanese national team announced that Endo would miss the FIFA World Cup due to injury. Shuto Machino was then called up as his replacement, after which Endo also announced his retirement from the national team.