31-year-old Liverpool F.C. midfielder Wataru Endo officially breaks a new record no player has ever done

Throughout their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, Japan’s captain Wataru Endo and his international companions have demonstrated extraordinary performance.

In the Asian Football Confederation qualifying section, the Blue Samurai have achieved an unblemished record, and the Liverpool midfielder has been instrumental in their success. Hajime Moriyasu has guided his team to a 9-0-0 record in the qualification sequence thus far, with one of those victories being classified as a forfeit. In March, North Korea declined to send a team to Japan, citing concerns about the spread of a disease. Consequently, Japan was granted a 3-0 victory.

However, Japan has performed flawlessly in all other games. In reality, they have yet to concede a single goal, and their goal difference is a formidable +38 after nine matches. JAPAN’S PERFECT RECORD The AFC World Cup qualification series is divided into distinct segments, with 26 teams, including Japan, advancing directly to the second round.

There, they defeated North Korea, Syria, and Myanmar both at home and away, thereby advancing to the third round of qualification.

They have currently defeated Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and China by an aggregate score of 14-0. Endo scored in the 7-0 victory over China. Japan’s most recent outing was a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah earlier this week, securing a maximum of nine points from nine matches in the section.

It is true that one of those matches was won on the ledger rather than the field, but it remains a significant accomplishment. Japan will play their subsequent match against Australia on Tuesday, with the expectation of maintaining their unblemished record.

Endo, 31, appears to be in a position to continue leading the team by the time the 2026 World Cup in North America occurs. However, he has been linked to Liverpool’s exit. At that time, he may not be playing for Liverpool and representing his country.
The former Stuttgart player has been frequently associated with the Anfield exit this year, as the new Liverpool head coach, Arne Slot, appears to have little regard for his abilities.

The midfield dynamo has been linked with a move to Inter, as well as a plethora of Premier League clubs. However, Liverpool are reportedly holding out for a relatively high price for him.

The timing of Roberto De Zerbi’s bid and a paucity of cover in the Liverpool squad were the reasons for the failure of a Marseille move for Endo over the summer. Nevertheless, Endo remains a competent performer who has become a cult figure among the Reds’ supporters during his inaugural season in England.