Japan National Team TV schedule and streaming links
Sunday, June 14
- 04:00 PM ET
Netherlands vs. Japan (FIFA World Cup)
Sunday, June 21
- 12:00 AM ET
Tunisia vs. Japan (FIFA World Cup)
Thursday, June 25
- 07:00 PM ET
Japan vs. Sweden (FIFA World Cup)
One of the most successful Asian soccer nations, the Japan National Football Team TV schedule lays out all of the games for the island nation.
The Samurai Blue has a history of success in terms of Asian soccer nations. Japan is generally seen as being a top team from the continent. While other countries in AFC, specifically South Korea, have deeper runs in the World Cup, Japan’s consistency in reaching the tournament is impressive.
Since qualifying for the first time in 1998, Japan reached every World Cup, including 2022. In Qatar, Japan shined, defeating both Germany and Spain en route to winning what was a thrilling Group E.
On four occasions, it reached the knockout stage. Consequently, the Japan National Team TV schedule regularly features important games in tournaments, in addition to friendlies.
- Nickname: Samurai Blue
- Manager: Hajime Moriyasu
- Best World Cup Finish: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
- Best AFC Asian Cup Finish: Champions (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011)
- Star Players: Takefusa Kubo, Wataru Endō, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Where can I watch Japan on U.S. TV and streaming?
Following the Japan Men’s National Team in the United States requires navigating different rights holders depending on the tournament, which are cleanly divided between major global stages and Asian continental windows.
Watch Japan on Fubo:
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FIFA World Cup
When the Samurai Blue chase history on soccer’s grandest stage at the FIFA World Cup, the viewing landscape is fully centralized for American viewers across two primary networks.
- English Language: FOX Sports holds exclusive broadcast rights, distributing group-stage and knockout fixtures across network FOX, FS1, and FS2.
- Spanish Language: Coverage belongs entirely to NBCUniversal via Telemundo or Universo, and streaming live on Peacock.
AFC Asian Cup & World Cup Qualifiers
For all continental matches—including the prestigious AFC Asian Cup and Asian World Cup Qualifying rounds—the exclusive broadcast home in the United States is Paramount+. CBS Sports controls the broadcast rights for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), making their standalone streaming platform a necessity for die-hard fans tracking the team through the multi-year qualification cycles.
International Friendlies
Exhibition games and high-profile international friendlies played outside of official AFC centralized windows do not possess a permanent television home. These rights are brokered on a match-by-match basis, frequently sliding onto streaming platforms like ESPN+ or specialized international sports networks.
To ensure comprehensive coverage that captures the World Cup cycle, continental trophies, and mid-week AFC qualifiers, combining a live TV streaming service like Fubo, DirecTV Stream, or YouTube TV (to capture FOX and Telemundo networks) alongside a standalone Paramount+ subscription is the ultimate setup for a follower of Japanese football.
The Identity of the Samurai Blue
Japan has officially evolved into a global soccer powerhouse, shedding its historical label as a regional giant to field an incredibly deep, lethal, and hyper-technical roster.
Under the continuous, disciplined guidance of head coach Hajime Moriyasu, the Samurai Blue operate out of a fluid, high-intensity 4-2-3-1 or a dynamic 3-4-2-1 geometry. Moriyasu’s tactical blueprint balances disciplined mid-blocks with devastating, world-class transition speed on the wings.
