What time does Japan play at the 2026 World Cup
Japan's kickoff times at the 2026 World Cup depend on the matchday and venue. Japan is in Group H and is led on the pitch by Takefusa Kubo, with head coach Hajime Moriyasu. The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026; there are no matches outside that window.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July, with 48 teams playing 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Japan first AFC team to qualify for 2026. That history shapes how analysts and fans size up their chances on each matchday.
How to find Japan's next match
Match times for Japan are scheduled around climate, stadium availability and broadcaster windows. When Japan kick off in a North American venue, the match typically falls into one of three windows:
- Noon–14:00 ET — afternoon kickoff in Mexico City or western US venues.
- 15:00 ET — primetime in Europe, popular for big audiences.
- 21:00 ET — evening kickoff to avoid heat in Sun Belt cities.
Japan's tournament path
Japan (AFC) qualified for the 2026 World Cup with a squad built around Takefusa Kubo and managed by Hajime Moriyasu. Bookmakers currently price them at around 50/1 to win the tournament outright, putting them in the outsider bracket.
| Detail | Japan |
|---|---|
| Confederation | AFC |
| Tournament group | Group H |
| Star player | Takefusa Kubo |
| Head coach | Hajime Moriyasu |
| Pre-tournament odds | 50/1 |
How to watch Japan at the 2026 World Cup
In the United States, World Cup matches are broadcast on FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish), with full streaming on Tubi and Peacock respectively. In Canada, TSN and CTV carry the matches, while in Mexico TUDN and Azteca cover every game. Streaming options also include FIFA+, the tournament's official platform.
The kickoff time you see on your TV guide is in your local time zone. If you are outside North America, convert from Eastern Time (the most-used reference time zone for the tournament).