Heads up
Some matches are free in Japan — the rest need a subscription.
Free-to-air: NHK. For full coverage you'll need DAZN Japan (all 104).
Language
Japanese
Timezone
UTC+9
Primary broadcaster
NHK
Coverage
Mix of free + paid
How to watch — every option
Free-to-air
NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV (selected matches)
Cable / satellite
DAZN Japan (all 104)
Streaming
DAZN (subscription)
Important note
Japan games + marquee matches air free-to-air.
When matches kick off in Japan
Early morning JST — most kickoffs are before noon.
🇯🇵 Japan's group-stage schedule
All three group matches on NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV (selected matches) or DAZN Japan (all 104).
Full 104-match schedule
Sorted by date — convert to your local time.
Going live? Get tickets
FIFA draws, resale markets, and hospitality.
Frequently asked
Is the World Cup free to watch in Japan?
Partially. NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV (selected matches) airs a portion of matches free. To catch the full tournament you'll need DAZN Japan (all 104).
Where can I stream the World Cup 2026 in Japan?
Official streaming in Japan runs through DAZN (subscription). Availability of free-to-air streams depends on the broadcaster's digital rights.
What time do World Cup matches kick off in Japan?
Early morning JST — most kickoffs are before noon. All times are based on UTC+9.
When does Japan play at World Cup 2026?
Japan is in Group F. All three group-stage matches are listed above with local kickoff times and venues. Knockout fixtures depend on the group-stage standings.
Do I need a VPN to watch World Cup 2026 in Japan?
You do not need a VPN if you're physically in Japan — the local rights holders stream within the country. VPNs are typically used by travelers abroad who want to access their home-country broadcaster.
Watching from somewhere else?
Broadcaster rights vary wildly by country. Pick yours: