The Samurai Blue are back — and this time, Japan arrives at FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of Asia’s most exciting teams.
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Coach Hajime Moriyasu leads a squad packed with European-based talent.
Japan lands in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden. Your team has earned its place. Now, follow every kick from Japan Standard Time (JST).
Japan’s Group F Match Schedule (JST)
Japan plays all three group stage matches in June 2026. All times below are in Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9). Games start in the early morning hours, so set your alarms.
🇯🇵 Group Stage Schedule
| Match No. | Date | Kick-Off | Match | Venue | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match 11 | Monday, June 15, 2026 | 5:00 AM | 🇳🇱 Netherlands vs 🇯🇵 Japan | AT&T Stadium, Dallas | F |
| Match 36 | Sunday, June 21, 2026 | 1:00 PM | 🇹🇳 Tunisia vs 🇯🇵 Japan | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey | F |
| Match 57 | Friday, June 26, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 🇯🇵 Japan vs 🇸🇪 Sweden | AT&T Stadium, Dallas | F |
Other Group F Matches to Watch
| Date | Kick-Off (JST) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, June 15 | 11:00 AM | 🇸🇪 Sweden vs 🇹🇳 Tunisia | Monterrey |
| Sunday, June 21 | 2:00 AM | 🇳🇱 Netherlands vs 🇸🇪 Sweden | Houston |
| Friday, June 26 | 8:00 AM | 🇹🇳 Tunisia vs 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Kansas City |
Japan’s toughest opening match comes against the Netherlands, ranked No. 7 in the world.
The third opponent is Sweden, who qualified through the European Play-Off B. A strong finish against Tunisia and Sweden can secure Japan’s progression to the Round of 32.
Japan’s World Cup History and Record
Japan first appeared at the FIFA World Cup in 1998 in France. Since then, the Blue Samurai have qualified for every tournament — making 2026 their eighth consecutive World Cup.
Japan’s World Cup Results by Year
| Year | Host | Result | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | France | Group Stage | First ever appearance |
| 2002 | Japan/South Korea | Round of 16 | Co-hosted; beat Russia & Tunisia |
| 2006 | Germany | Group Stage | Eliminated in group |
| 2010 | South Africa | Round of 16 | Beat Cameroon and Denmark |
| 2014 | Brazil | Group Stage | Lost all three matches |
| 2018 | Russia | Round of 16 | Lost to Belgium 3–2 in thriller |
| 2022 | Qatar | Round of 16 | Shocked Germany and Spain |
Japan’s best-ever finish is the Round of 16, which they have reached four times. The 2022 Qatar campaign was one of Japan’s best.
They beat Germany 2–1 and Spain 2–1 in the group stage, stunning the world. Japan lost to Croatia on penalties in the Round of 16.
Predictions and Team Analysis
Japan enters 2026 as Asia’s strongest team. Their FIFA ranking sits at 19th globally — their highest ever.
Coach Moriyasu has built a fast, counter-pressing team with high defensive structure and quick transitions.
Strengths:
- Deep European club experience across the squad
- Elite midfield work rate with Wataru Endō anchoring from Liverpool
- Creative attacking threat via Mitoma, Kubo, and Doan
- Proven big-game resilience (beat Germany and Spain in 2022)
Weaknesses:
- Tough opener against the Netherlands tests early resolve
- Early morning kick-offs (JST) reduce live crowd energy domestically
- Pressure from high expectations after 2022’s heroics
Prediction: Japan advances from Group F. Sweden is beatable, and Tunisia offers a manageable second match. Japan reaches the Round of 32 with a real shot at the Round of 16.
Japan Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
| # | Position | Player Name | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | GK | Zion Suzuki | Parma |
| — | GK | Keisuke Osako | Sanfrecce Hiroshima |
| — | GK | Tomoki Hayakawa | Kashima Antlers |
| — | DEF | Yuto Nagatomo | FC Tokyo |
| — | DEF | Shogo Taniguchi | Sint-Truiden |
| — | DEF | Ko Itakura | Ajax |
| — | DEF | Tsuyoshi Watanabe | Feyenoord |
| — | DEF | Takehiro Tomiyasu | Ajax |
| — | DEF | Hiroki Ito | Bayern Munich |
| — | DEF | Ayumu Seko | Le Havre |
| — | DEF | Yukinari Sugawara | Werder Bremen |
| — | MID | Junnosuke Suzuki | FC Copenhagen |
| — | MID | Wataru Endo (C) | Liverpool |
| — | MID | Junya Ito | Genk |
| — | MID | Daichi Kamada | Crystal Palace |
| — | MID | Ritsu Doan | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| — | MID | Ao Tanaka | Leeds United |
| — | MID | Keito Nakamura | Reims |
| — | MID | Kaishu Sano | Mainz |
| — | MID | Takefusa Kubo | Real Sociedad |
| — | MID | Yuito Suzuki | Freiburg |
| — | FWD | Koki Ogawa | NEC Nijmegen |
| — | FWD | Daizen Maeda | Celtic |
| — | FWD | Ayase Ueda | Feyenoord |
| — | FWD | Kento Shiogai | VfL Wolfsburg |
| — | FWD | Keisuke Goto | Sint-Truiden |
Key Players to Watch
- Takefusa Kubo: The Real Sociedad playmaker is Japan’s most technically gifted attacker — his ability to cut inside and create in tight spaces makes him the man Tunisia must track closely throughout.
- Daichi Kamada: The Crystal Palace midfielder offers creativity in the middle of the park and will be crucial in dictating tempo alongside the experience of Wataru Endo — though Endo’s fitness is currently in doubt.
- Daizen Maeda: The Celtic forward scored 14 goals and grabbed six assists in the Scottish Premiership this season, and his versatility to play as a left-winger or through the middle gives Moriyasu attacking flexibility.
How to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 in Japan
Japan fans have excellent viewing options in 2026. Three major free-to-air networks and a major streaming platform will cover the tournament.
Free TV (地上波)
| Channel | Coverage |
|---|---|
| NHK (NHK General + NHK BS) | All Japan group stage matches, live terrestrial broadcast |
| Nippon TV (日本テレビ) | 15 selected matches including one Japan group match |
| Fuji TV (フジテレビ) | 10 selected matches |
NHK’s BS Premium 4K will air all 104 matches either live or recorded. This is the best free option for die-hard fans.
Paid Streaming
| Platform | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DAZN (ダゾーン) | All 104 matches live | Japan national team matches free to stream |
DAZN holds the exclusive streaming rights for all 104 matches in Japan. Japan national team matches on DAZN are free to watch — no subscription required for those specific games.
For all other matches, latest available information suggests a standard DAZN subscription applies. Visit DAZN Japan for current pricing.
FAQs
When does Japan play its first match at World Cup 2026?
Japan plays the Netherlands on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 5:00 AM JST.
What group is Japan in at World Cup 2026?
Japan is in Group F with the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden.
Where are Japan’s matches being played?
Japan plays in Dallas (twice) and Monterrey, Mexico.
Can I watch Japan’s matches for free?
Yes. NHK will broadcast all Japan group stage matches free on terrestrial TV. DAZN also streams Japan matches for free.
Who is Japan’s head coach at World Cup 2026?
Hajime Moriyasu leads the Samurai Blue at the 2026 tournament.
What is Japan’s best World Cup result?
Japan’s best finish is the Round of 16, achieved in 2002, 2010, 2018, and 2022.
How many times has Japan qualified for the World Cup?
Japan has qualified for eight consecutive World Cups since their debut in 1998.
Who are Japan’s key players in 2026?
Watch Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endō, Takefusa Kubo, and Ayase Ueda.
Will all 104 World Cup matches be available in Japan?
Yes. DAZN holds the rights to all 104 matches and will live-stream every game. NHK BS Premium 4K will also carry all matches live or recorded.
What is Japan’s FIFA ranking heading into 2026?
Japan is ranked 19th in the world — their highest ranking ever.
