Japan National Team European Tour Confirmed! Broadcast Info for Scotland & England Matches
With fewer than 100 days until the World Cup, Moriyasu's Japan will face Scotland and England in friendly matches in late March. Live coverage confirmed on NHK General and NHK E. Full broadcast and streaming details inside.
Two European Powerhouses Before the World Cup
On March 12, the JFA (Japan Football Association) announced the broadcast and streaming details for two international friendly matches that the Samurai Blue (Japan national team) will play at the end of March.
With fewer than 100 days remaining until the FIFA World Cup 2026 (North America), Japan will face two European heavyweights who have both already secured their spots in the tournament. These will be valuable warm-up matches for head coach Hajime Moriyasu ahead of the finals.
Match Schedule & Broadcast Information
Match 1: vs Scotland
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, March 28, 2026, local time 17:00 → Sunday, March 29, 2026, 02:00 JST |
| Venue | Hampden Park (Glasgow) |
| TV Broadcast | NHK General (live) |
| Streaming | NHK ONE (live & on-demand), U-NEXT (paid) |
Match 2: vs England
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, March 31, 2026, local time 19:45 → Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 03:45 JST |
| Venue | Wembley Stadium (London) |
| TV Broadcast | NHK E-tele (live) |
| Streaming | NHK ONE (live & on-demand), U-NEXT (paid) |
Key Talking Points
Scotland Match
- Scotland are in WC 2026 Group K (alongside England, Senegal, and Qatar)
- A matchup against Japan is a rare occurrence in recent years, making it a true test of how well the team can handle the physical style of European football
- Broadcast live on NHK General, so it can be watched free of charge
England Match
- A showdown at the hallowed turf of Wembley. England are also in WC 2026 Group K
- Facing a side with one of the world's most formidable attacks will be a real litmus test for Japan's defensive capabilities
- Broadcast on NHK E-tele. Although it airs late at night, on-demand streaming is available via NHK ONE
How to Watch
On TV:
- Scotland match → NHK General
- England match → NHK E-tele
Via online streaming:
- NHK ONE (live stream + on-demand) ※ Free
- U-NEXT (paid)
Both matches kick off in the late night to early morning hours. If you can't watch in real time, make sure to take advantage of the on-demand streaming on NHK ONE.
_Source:_ _Yahoo! News / Official JFA Announcement (March 12, 2026)_ open_in_new