Endo believes Japan can win 2026 World Cup

Wataru Endo, captain of Japan's national football team, believes that Japan can win the 2026 World Cup. He made these comments after Japan secured their qualification by defeating Bahrain 2-0 in a recent match. This victory marked Japan as the first team to qualify for the tournament, which will be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Endo addressed fans on the pitch after the game, encouraging them to believe in the team's ambitious goal of lifting the World Cup trophy. He emphasized the importance of sharing this target with supporters. Japan has qualified for their eighth consecutive World Cup, but they have never advanced past the last 16 in previous tournaments. In the match against Bahrain, Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo scored in the second half, contributing to Japan's impressive record of six wins and one draw in their qualifying campaign. Endo noted that fans now expect qualification as a routine outcome. He expressed the team's desire to meet those expectations and make a significant impact in the tournament. Japan will play another qualifier against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and will complete their campaign with matches against Australia and Indonesia in June. Kamada highlighted the need for the team to improve and utilize their talents effectively. He stressed the importance of individual development to help the team achieve their goals. The competition within the squad is strong, allowing for a deeper roster beyond just the starting eleven.