Wataru Endo will make an early return to Liverpool from international duty after Japan’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against North Korea was postponed.
Both nations were due to clash on Tuesday 26 March, but the game has been postponed due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.
North Korea had requested for the match to be moved to a neutral venue due to ‘unavoidable circumstances’, prompting the Asian Football Confederation to confirm the match had been postponed.
An official AFC statement read: “The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed today that the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 ™- Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Group B fixture between DPR Korea and Japan, scheduled to be played on March 26, 2024, will not take place as scheduled due to unforeseen circumstances.
“The decision, taken in consultation with FIFA and relevant stakeholders, comes after the AFC was informed on March 20 by the DPR Korea Football Association of the need to move the match to a neutral venue due to unavoidable circumstances.
“The matter will now be referred to the relevant Committees in FIFA with further updates to be communicated in due course.”
Japan had won 1-0 at home to North Korea on Thursday in their latest qualifier, with that result leaving them top of Group B, having won all three of their matches so far.
Endo, who is the Japan captain, only came on as a 58th minute substitute in Tokyo. He is now expected to return to the AXA Training Centre ahead of the clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday 31 March.
