Endo says Japan won’t be satisfied just to reach World Cup

Liverpool’s Wataru Endo said Japan’s sights are set higher than just qualifying for next year’s World Cup as they look to become the first team to clinch their place on Thursday.

The runaway Asian Group C leaders have been dominant in qualifying and can book their spot at the 2026 finals if they beat Bahrain in Saitama.

A draw could also be enough if other results in the group go their way.

Captain Endo said qualification is just the start for a team that hope to make a splash at next summer’s competition in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“Everyone understands that the third round of Asian qualifiers is not easy but we are aiming higher and not one of us is satisfied at this point,” the midfielder told reporters on Wednesday.

“It’s because we have the targets that we do that this team has become what it is now.”

Japan have won five and drawn one of their six games in the third qualifying phase and have a nine-point lead over second-placed Australia.

If they fail to clinch qualification against Bahrain they have another chance to get the job done at home to Saudi Arabia next week, and two more games after that.

“I’m excited to be playing at home,” said Endo, who was an unused substitute in Liverpool’s League Cup final defeat to Newcastle on Sunday.

“The team is very motivated and so am I personally. We haven’t had much time to prepare but we’re in good shape.”

Coach Hajime Moriyasu has picked a full-strength squad featuring several Premier League players including Endo, Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma and Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada.

“I want the players to show their individual quality as well as coming together as a team to give it everything,” said Moriyasu.

“I want us to clinch our place at the World Cup and celebrate together with the fans.”

Under Moriyasu, Japan beat Spain and Germany in the group phase of the 2022 World Cup, before going out on penalties to Croatia in the second round.

They reached the same stage in 2002, 2010 and 2018, but are yet to go further.