sportnews full logo

How to Watch Japan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Schedule, Broadcasts, and Streams

If you're looking to catch the Japan national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, here's everything you need to know about their next matches, start times, TV channels, and online streams.

Japan’s Next Match Details

Japan will be playing in Group F at the Monterrey Stadium. To watch from anywhere safely, signing up with a reliable VPN service is recommended.

Broadcast Rights in Japan

DAZN Japan holds exclusive rights to stream all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup in Japan, including every game featuring Japan's team. Yet, some matches are also available on free-to-air TV, thanks to sublicensing deals made by the Dentsu Group.

Free broadcasts include coverage on NHK and commercial networks like Nippon TV, which is set to air selected matches, including at least one of Japan's group stage games.

Japan’s Path to the 2026 World Cup

Under coach Hajime Moriyasu, Japan showed remarkable consistency and control during AFC qualifiers. They topped Group B, which featured Australia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Indonesia, and China, earning automatic qualification.

The team blended possession-based play with tactical discipline and physical strength. Early wins over China and Indonesia, combined with a key victory against Saudi Arabia away from home, secured their spot.

Japan’s defense stood out, led by veterans Takehiro Tomiyasu and Maya Yoshida, alongside goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. Offensively, players like Takefusa Kubo, Kaoru Mitoma, and Daichi Kamada supplied creativity and threat.

By March 2025, Japan had qualified comfortably after strong results, finishing top of their group ahead of rivals Australia and Saudi Arabia.

This qualifying run confirmed Japan as one of the highest-scoring and best-defending teams in AFC, showcasing their ability to control games through possession, pressing, and structured build-up.

The squad includes a generation expected to peak in 2026, with European club experience enriching players such as Kubo, Mitoma, and Wataru Endo. Japan now prepares to face Argentina, Türkiye, and Ecuador in Group E, ready to compete beyond the group stage.

FAQs About Japan in World Cup 2026

  • Which group is Japan in? Japan competes in Group F with The Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia.
  • When is Japan’s first match? Their opener is against The Netherlands on June 14, 2026.
  • Where will Japan be based? Nashville, Tennessee, serves as their official Team Base Camp.
  • Who are Japan’s standout players? Kaoru Mitoma, Takefusa Kubo, and Daichi Kamada are key figures driving creativity and attack.
  • Which broadcasters show Japan’s matches in Japan? NHK, Fuji TV, and Nippon TV offer live terrestrial coverage, while Abema provides free streaming. DAZN streams all matches and offers extra content including tactical analysis.
  • How many times has Japan qualified? Including 2026, Japan has qualified eight times since their World Cup debut in the late 1990s, reaching the Round of 16 as their best result.

Related Articles