Japan’s national football team, led by captain Wataru Endo, concluded the second round of World Cup qualifiers with an impeccable record of six wins out of six matches. Their latest triumph came in a dominant 5-0 victory over Syria, where Liverpool midfielder Endo played a crucial role. This outstanding performance has marked a perfect start to Japan’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The team’s winning streak began with resounding victories over Myanmar, where they triumphed twice with identical 5-0 scorelines. They continued their winning form by defeating Syria and North Korea, winning 5-0 and 1-0 respectively. The match against North Korea ended in a 3-0 victory for Japan after their opponents forfeited.
In their final match of the second round, Japan faced Syria once again, this time in Hiroshima. The Japanese team was determined to secure a sixth consecutive win, and they accomplished their goal with a comprehensive victory over the Syrian side. Goals from Ayase Ueda, Ritsu Doan, and an own goal from Thaer Krouma put Japan in a commanding 3-0 lead within the first half-hour. Endo’s exceptional midfield play helped create opportunities for his team, leading to the opening goal.
After the break, Yuki Soma extended Japan’s lead to 4-0 from the penalty spot. The scoring was concluded by former Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino, who found the back of the net to seal a convincing victory for Japan.
With this triumph, Japan finished at the top of Group B in Asia’s World Cup qualifying bracket, amassing 18 points and securing a nine-point lead over second-placed North Korea. Their impressive performance in the second round means they have also secured qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup.
Looking ahead, Japan will be drawn into one of three groups for the next phase of qualifiers. They will have ten more matches to play before the top two teams from each group progress to the tournament proper. However, this success presents a potential setback for Liverpool, as Endo’s participation in the 2027 Asian Cup could rule him out of action for the club midway through the 2026/27 season.
Endo’s contributions to the Japanese national team have been significant, as he made his 62nd appearance for the country and his 15th since being named captain. After completing his international duties, Endo will take a well-deserved post-season break before joining his Liverpool teammates for pre-season training. Alongside him, notable players such as Mohamed Salah, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah, Stefan Bajcetic, and Fabio Carvalho are expected to be part of Arne Slot’s first squad at the AXA Training Centre.