How To Watch the Japan Men's National Soccer Team: 2026 World Cup Schedule and Streaming Guide
Where to watch Japan men’s soccer games
Japan is one of those teams that quietly shows up and gives top nations real problems, and 2026 feels like another moment where they could make noise. If you’re watching from the U.S., Japan’s World Cup matches are easy to track, with FOX and FS1 handling English-language coverage, and Telemundo, UNIVERSO, and Peacock (streaming only) carrying Spanish-language broadcasts. Once the tournament kicks off, everything is in one place and easy to follow as Japan tries to turn its technical style into a deep run.
The rest of the schedule takes a bit more effort to keep up with. AFC qualifiers and friendlies are handled through a mix of broadcast deals, so matches don’t live on one consistent network. Some games surface through niche soccer platforms or federation-driven streams, depending on where they are played and who controls the rights. For fans locked in on Japan’s rise, especially with players like Takefusa Kubo and Kaoru Mitoma leaving it all on the field, it’s worth keeping a flexible setup so you do not miss those late-night kickoffs.
Don't be caught offsides with the wrong streamer this World Cup
DIRECTV is the streaming service hooligans choose for football. According to CableTV.com's 2026 customer satisfaction survey, more fans (49%) watch soccer on DIRECTV than any other streaming service. That's more than rivals Fubo and YouTube TV. What's more, a staggering 97% of DIRECTV streaming subscribers reported satisfaction with their live sports experience. So, what are you waiting for? Hit the World Cup pitch this summer by streaming it on DIRECTV.
2026 Japan men’s national team TV schedule
Japan’s 2026 slate is anchored by the FIFA World Cup, where group stage matches take place in June, and the schedule expands if the team advances. Outside that tournament, Japan continues to play friendlies and AFC competitions throughout the year.
Timing is not fixed beyond the early stages, since later matches depend on results and international scheduling windows. As the calendar shifts, game details may be updated to reflect Japan’s progress and any changes along the way.
Intl Soccer Men - Japan Schedule
| Opponent | Competition | Date | Time (ET) | English channels | Spanish channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
at Scotland | International Friendly | Saturday, March 28 | 1:00 p.m. | — | — |
at England | International Friendly | Tuesday, March 31 | 2:45 p.m. | — | — |
Iceland | International Friendly | Sunday, May 31 | 6:25 a.m. | TBD | TBD |
at Netherlands | FIFA World Cup | Sunday, June 14 | 4:00 p.m. | ||
at Tunisia | FIFA World Cup | Sunday, June 20 | 12:00 a.m. | ||
Sweden | FIFA World Cup | Thursday, June 25 | 7:00 p.m. |
What channels show Japan soccer games?
Japan’s World Cup matches are easy to follow in the U.S., but for the rest of the calendar, coverage depends on the competition. Japan’s qualifiers and friendlies fall under different broadcast deals, so games appear across a range of platforms based on the opponent and location. Some are available through international streaming services, while others are handled by federation livestreams or smaller sports networks, which means having more than one viewing option helps if you want to keep up all year.
Best TV plans for watching Japan soccer
I don’t want to miss anything, so that means I have to take a well-rounded approach to my setup—and so do you. For starters, you’ll want to get a live TV service that covers the essentials: FOX for English-language broadcasts and Telemundo for Spanish-language coverage.
That’s why I’d go with Hulu + Live TV as the best overall setup because it gives you a bit of everything (FOX, FS1, Telemundo, and Universo in one place), plus built-in ESPN Unlimited access for additional soccer content. It’s perfect for when the schedule gets busy, and Japan’s matches overlap with other tournaments.
From there, I add a backup for the games that fall outside the World Cup bubble. I usually combine my main plan with Paramount+ for international competitions and Peacock Premium for additional tournament coverage and Spanish-language simulcasts.
Best Overall
Hulu + Live TV covers Japan’s biggest matches with FOX and FS1 for English-language World Cup broadcasts and Telemundo and Universo for Spanish-language coverage, while also including ESPN Unlimited for additional international games.
Exclusive Games
Paramount+ is useful for accessing international competitions tied to CBS’s global rights deals, including matches connected to Olympic and tournament coverage.
Exclusive Games
Peacock Premium provides Spanish-language simulcasts and additional international tournament coverage, making it a strong companion for fans following Japan across multiple competitions.
Watch Japan soccer with a free trial
If you want to catch the Japan men’s national team in action without jumping into a full subscription, free trials are the easiest way to get started. Just double-check your local channel lineup first, since availability can vary depending on where you are and which networks carry the game.
| Packages | Price | FOX / FS1 | TNT / truTV | Telemundo | CBS / CBSSN | beIN SPORTS | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | Five days free, then $84.99–$149.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — | View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM |
| Fubo | Five days free, then $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | — | — | ✔ | ✔ | View Plans for FuboTV |
| YouTube TV | Varies, then $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | —* | View Plans for YouTube TV |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Requires Sports Plus add-on.
Get tickets to see Japan live!
Buy Japan men’s national team tickets through our partner, StubHub—your source for the best deals on Samurai Blue games and more.
How to watch Japan men’s soccer FAQ
Can I stream Samurai Blue games without cable?
Yes, every Samurai Blue match can be streamed without cable. Live TV services like Fubo and YouTube TV carry FOX and Telemundo for the World Cup, while apps like Peacock may be needed for Spanish-language simulcasts or select friendlies.
Why are Japan men's national team games on different channels?
International soccer TV rights are sold by competitions, not teams. FIFA handles World Cup deals (FOX, Telemundo), while regional federations and federations like Japan's sell qualifiers and friendlies to different networks.
Can I watch the Japan men's national team for free?
Yes, some World Cup matches air on local FOX and Telemundo stations, which you can watch free with an antenna. Free trials from live TV streaming services are another short-term way to watch.
How can I watch Japan men's national team games in Spanish?
World Cup matches air on Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock. For other competitions, Spanish-language coverage often appears on networks like TUDN, Univision, or Fox Deportes, depending on the rights.
Why you should trust us
This guide was put together by Creshonda Smith, a sports and TV writer who closely follows how international soccer shows up on U.S. screens. Instead of relying on generic listings, she tracked where Japan matches have aired across different competitions and verified which services consistently carry them. The recommendations reflect real viewing setups, built to help fans avoid the guesswork and find the game quickly.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.
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