The schedule is tough: most matches kick off between midnight and 10 AM JST. But Japan has excellent coverage — ABEMA streams all 104 matches free, and NHK, Fuji TV, and Nippon TV cover Samurai Blue games on terrestrial TV. The Tunisia match at 1 PM JST is the one viewer-friendly Samurai Blue fixture.
Where to Watch: Free and Paid
Free-to-air TV
- NHK — Japan matches, opening game, semifinals, final (partial). 4K via NHK BS Premium 4K
- Fuji TV — shares Japan match coverage
- Nippon TV — shares Japan match coverage
Between the three networks: all Samurai Blue matches, the opening game, both semifinals, and the final are covered free on terrestrial TV.
Streaming
- ABEMA — all matches, free, no subscription. Mobile / PC / smart TV apps. Continues from their breakout 2022 World Cup coverage
- DAZN Japan — all 104 matches, paid subscription. Sublicensed through Dentsu. Includes tactical analysis and on-demand replays
When to Watch: Kickoff Times in Japan
| Host kickoff (local) | JST | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 PT (LA) / 15:00 ET (NY) | 05:00 next day | Hardcore — weekday = take leave |
| 15:00 PT / 18:00 ET | 08:00 next day | Early riser — rush before work |
| 18:00 PT / 21:00 ET | 11:00 next day | Best slot — weekend brunch game |
| 12:00 CT (CDMX) | 04:00 next day | Skip unless it’s Japan |
Japan’s Group Schedule
| Match | JST | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| vs Netherlands | Jun 15, 05:00 | Dallas |
| vs Tunisia | Jun 21, 13:00 | Monterrey |
| vs TBD | Jun 26, 08:00 | Dallas |
The Tunisia match kicks off at 1pm JST — the most viewer-friendly Japan fixture of the tournament.
Must-Watch Matches
- Final — July 19, MetLife Stadium, New York. JST July 20, 04:00
- Semifinals — July 14–15
- Japan vs Netherlands — group opener, June 15 at 05:00. Sunday morning.