Wataru Endo: "I'm focused on improving conditions for players"

• The Japan captain is using his role on FIFPRO’s Global Player Council to advocate for better working conditions for players worldwide
• The Liverpool midfielder highlights fixture congestion and travel demands as growing challenges, particularly for players from Asia and South America
• Endo also speaks out against anti-Asian racism, stressing the importance of awareness, education and collective action

Japan captain Wataru Endo is a leader on and off the pitch. Alongside representing Liverpool at club level and wearing the captain’s armband for his country, Endo is using his platform to advocate for improved working conditions for players worldwide.

The midfielder is one of 37 players on FIFPRO’s Global Player Council, where he works alongside fellow internationals such as Liverpool team-mate and World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, five-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner Lucy Bronze, and national team captains such as Chris Wood and Caroline Weir.

The Global Player Council provides a direct platform for footballers with international experience to speak on issues affecting their careers. Council members remain closely connected to their domestic player unions, ensuring global discussions are grounded in national realities and player representation.

"My main motivation [for joining the Global Player Council] is improving the conditions for the players," Endo told FIFPRO. "There are issues such as travel, working conditions, and so on. 

"It’s important that we continue conveying our feedback via FIFPRO to provide support and create a better environment for players."

Travel 

Established in 2019, the Global Player Council supports FIFPRO and its national associations on a range of player-centric matters, including the international match calendar, employment standards, player data, and protection from online abuse.

One issue Endo believes requires urgent attention is travel – a growing concern as the elite football calendar continues to expand and protected rest periods become scarcer for players.

"I think that player unions play a very important role," Endo said. "With the number of matches increasing significantly year on year, it is essential that players compete in better conditions."

For players representing national teams far from their club base, the demands can be especially heavy.

"Particularly for players from Asia or South America, the travel demands are very high, and we need to find a way to continue our activities with the national team while tackling various other issues like that.

"That’s why player unions are important because they can help solve these issues."

Anti-Asian racism

Last year, FIFPRO Asia/Oceania launched an anti-discrimination campaign highlighting players’ experiences of anti-Asian racism and addressing its rise in the professional game. The campaign is underpinned by a report drawing on player testimonies, data, and union research from across the global game.

The initiative forms part of FIFPRO’s broader commitment to player rights and equality, alongside campaigns such as #ItsPersonal, collaboration with stakeholders on education and policy, and sustained advocacy for inclusive football governance.

"I feel that anti-Asian racism hasn't been given that much attention until now, so I believe that engaging in such activities is important in eliminating racism," Endo said.

"Of course, racism isn’t only directed towards Asians – we see it all around the world, which is why I engage in these activities.

"It would be good if more people understood racism better and we could build a world where racism no longer exists."