Virgil van Dijk will captain the Netherlands in their World Cup opener against Japan, but he won't face his Liverpool team-mate Wataru Endo.
What happened to Wataru Endo?
Wataru Endo has been forced to withdraw from Japan's World Cup squad due to a broken foot.
He suffered the injury in February and didn't recover in time for the tournament.
Why it matters for Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk had previously shown his respect for Endo by handing him the captain's armband during a Liverpool tour in Japan.
Endo had spoken about his dream of playing for Yokohama F. Marinos as a teenager, but he didn't sign with the club.
What comes next for Japan and the Netherlands?
The Netherlands will face Japan in their opening World Cup fixture this weekend.
Japan has replaced Endo with Shuto Machino in their squad.
Virgil van Dijk will be looking to lead his team to a strong start in the tournament.
Endo has announced his retirement from international football with 73 caps for Japan since his debut in 2015.
He joined Liverpool in 2022 and has won the Premier League and Carabao Cup with the club.
The 33-year-old has become a fan favourite at Anfield due to his versatility on the pitch.
Virgil van Dijk will be gutted not to face Endo, but he will focus on leading the Netherlands to a good result.
The Dutch team has a tough group stage ahead, but they are confident in their abilities.
Endo's injury is a blow to Japan, but they have a strong squad and will look to make a good impression.
The World Cup is a prestigious tournament, and every team will be looking to make a statement.
Virgil van Dijk and the Netherlands will be looking to make a strong start and build momentum.
The match against Japan will be a tough test, but they are ready for the challenge.