A pair of World Cup-minded sides close out the FIFA Matchday with plenty on the line as England looks to rebound from a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Uruguay and build momentum heading into the global stage.

Standing in their way is Japan, fresh off a gritty win over Scotland that showcased both resilience and attacking discipline. England will push for a sharper finish in front of goal, while Japan aims to prove its recent success translates against elite European opposition.

When will the England vs Japan match be played?

England play against Japan in a 2026 friendly game this Tuesday, March 31, with the match kicking off at 2:45 PM (ET).

England vs Japan: Time by State in the USA

ET: 2:45 PM
CT: 1:45 PM
MT: 12:45 PM
PT: 11:45 AM

How to watch England vs Japan in the USA

This International Friendly clash between England and Japan will be available for viewers in the USA on ViX.

[Watch Scotland vs Japan online in the US on Fubo]

As the FIFA World Cup approaches, Scotland and Japan will meet in a key international friendly aimed at sharpening their form. Scotland brings renewed momentum in its return to the global stage.

On the other hand, Japan continues its steady rise as a disciplined, dangerous side ready to challenge top competition. With both teams using this as a crucial tune-up, expect a fast, competitive clash you won’t want to miss.

When will the Scotland vs Japan match be played?

Scotland play against Japan in a 2026 friendly game this Saturday, March 28, with the match kicking off at 1:00 PM (ET).

Scotland vs Japan: Time by State in the USA

ET: 1:00 PM
CT: 12:00 PM
MT: 11:00 AM
PT: 10:00 AM

How to watch Scotland vs Japan in the USA

This Friendly clash between Scotland and Japan will be available for viewers in the USA on Fubo. Other options: FOX Soccer Plus and ViX.

Moinelo’s trail went cold following Cuba’s final Pool A matchup against Canada on March 11. Since that game, the Hawks had been unable to establish contact with their ace, a situation Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo confirmed to local Japanese media earlier this week.

“It seems we can’t get in touch with him,” Kokubo admitted, sparking concerns about the pitcher’s availability for Opening Day.

The communication breakdown appears rooted in the ongoing domestic crisis in Cuba. The island is currently grappling with widespread power grid failures and a severe aviation fuel shortage.

Moinelo and fellow Cuban standout Raidel Martinez are expected to touch down in Japan as early as tomorrow to rejoin their respective clubs ahead of the March 28 season opener.

Moinelo’s dominance in the NPB

The Hawks’ anxiety over Moinelo’s absence is well-founded. The southpaw is coming off a historic 2025 campaign where he established himself as the premier arm in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

He even etched his name into the SoftBank record books last season, racking up a franchise-record 18 strikeouts in a single eight-inning outing.

• 2025 Regular Season Stats:
  • ERA: 1.46 (1st in League)
  • Wins: 12 (Tied-1st)
  • Strikeouts: 172 (2nd)
  • WHIP: 0.92 (1st)
  • Quality Starts: 21 of 24 (1st)

World Baseball Classic performance

Moinelo carried that momentum into international play, serving as the anchor of the Cuban staff during the World Baseball Classic. Facing elite global competition, he remained virtually untouchable.

• WBC Tournament Stats:
  • ERA: 0.00
  • Innings Pitched: 7.2
  • Strikeouts: 11
  • WHIP: 0.65
  • Opponent BA: .115

Going through the locker room greeting his teammates, Acuña screamed, “we ate Sushi!” twice. Venezuela were the underdogs against a Japan team with the likes of Shohei Ohtani. Still, they were brave and deliver incredible moments throughout the whole game.

Whether it was Acuña himself doing MVP things, or outfielder Wilyer Abreu batting a three-run homer to the upper deck of the LoanDepot Park, Venezuela were just feeling it and Japan got overwhelmed.

Venezuela’s path to the semis

Venezuela ended second in Pool D with a 3-1 record. They beat Israel, Netherlands, and Nicaragua, but lost to WBC contender Dominican Republic 7-5. That meant they had to face with Japan, the reigning champions in the quarterfinals. As we now know, Venezuela pulled the 8-5 upset.

Now, Venezuela have to face the Cinderella story of the tournament, undefeated Italy, who have won every game played so far, including Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, United States, and Puerto Rico. Italy’s batting has been unstoppable so far, so Venezuela have a handful of problems if they want to progress through to the final.

The WBC has been incredible so far

From the rating numbers to the level of play, the 2026 World Baseball Classic has been a sight to see. Upsets, Cinderella stories, MLB’s biggest stars going to battle one another, and electric atmospheres have surrounded the whole tournament.

Now, only four remain. The United States will play the Dominican Republic in the first semis, while Italy and Venezuela will vow to be a finalist. This is must-watch baseball in the middle of March.

Team Venezuela also arrives in strong form after posting a 3-1 record in the group stage. However, the Venezuelan squad could not secure the top spot in Pool D after falling to the Dominican Republic in the final game of the first round.

Now, Japan and Venezuela will meet in Miami for a highly anticipated matchup with a place in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic on the line. An early blockbuster duel between two contenders.

What happens if Team Japan loses vs Venezuela in 2026 WBC?

If Japan and Shohei Ohtani lose to Venezuela, their run in the 2026 World Baseball Classic will come to an end. The quarterfinals are played under a single-elimination format, meaning the losing team is immediately eliminated while the winner advances to the semifinals.

What happens if Team Japan wins vs Venezuela?

If Team Japan defeats Venezuela, a spot in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic would be guaranteed. Ohtani’s squad will face the winner of Italy vs Puerto Rico for a place in the final.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s return plan after his WBC start. However, that plan has since changed, allowing Yamamoto to stay with Team Japan as long as the club remains in contention.

According to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, Yamamoto will remain with the team throughout the playoffs. The right-hander is expected to continue supporting Japan’s bid to defend its WBC title even after making his scheduled start against Venezuela.

Yamamoto played key role in Japan’s strong group stage

Yamamoto made one appearance during the group stage against Chinese Taipei, pitching 2⅔ hitless innings while striking out two batters. His outing helped set the tone for a dominant performance by the defending champions.

Japan entered the knockout stage with strong momentum after going 4–0 in pool play, securing the top seed in its group. Japan will now face a Venezuela lineup filled with major league talent

Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil ended the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers with an inconsistent performance, finishing fifth after a 1-0 defeat to Bolivia in the final matchday. Another win in Asia, following their emphatic victory over South Korea, would be a major confidence boost as they fine-tune their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 tournament and have been sharpening their form through a series of friendlies against teams from CONMEBOL and CONCACAF. So far, the Japanese have only suffered one defeat — a 2-0 loss to the United States — while drawing against Mexico and Paraguay.

Brazil enter this clash after a dominant 5-0 win over South Korea, powered by braces from Rodrygo and Estevao, plus a goal from Vinicius. Japan, on the other hand, are coming off a 2-2 draw with Paraguay, thanks to goals from Ogawa and Ueda.

Why isn’t Raphinha playing for Brazil vs Japan?

Raphinha will not feature in Brazil’s game against Japan after suffering a right hamstring injury while playing for Barcelona against Real Oviedo. The winger’s recovery timeline is estimated at around three weeks, according to the club’s medical staff.

The Brazilian forward already missed Barcelona’s matches against PSG in the Champions League and Sevilla in LaLiga, and he’s also ruled out for Brazil’s friendlies against South Korea and now against Japan, as well as Barcelona’s next league clash against Girona on October 18.

Will we see Raphinha back with Brazil before the World Cup?

Another FIFA window will take place in November — much to the frustration of clubs in both Europe and South America, as it coincides with the decisive stretch of their seasons. However, the CBF appears to have chosen wisely, planning two friendlies against African national soccer teams in Europe.

While official confirmation is still pending, the potential opponents are Senegal and Tunisia, provided neither participates in the 2026 World Cup playoff. Brazil, led by Carlo Ancelotti, are expected to play the first match at London’s Emirates Stadium and the second at the Stade de France in Paris — two fixtures likely to draw sell-out crowds as the Seleção continue their road to the World Cup.

[Watch Japan U20 vs France U20 online in the US on Fubo]

This matchup is shaping up to be one of the tournament’s most compelling showdowns. Japan has proven itself a formidable force, entering the knockout stage unbeaten alongside Argentina and aiming to make history after an impressive group stage performance.

They’ll have their hands full against a French squad that, despite showing some vulnerabilities, remains one of the tournament’s elite. France navigated a challenging path to reach the Round of 16 and will be determined to build momentum as they push deeper into the competition.

When will the Japan U20 vs France U20 match be played?

Japan U20 play against France U20 on Wednesday, October 8, for the 2025 U20 World Cup round of 16. The clash is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 PM (ET).

Japan U20 vs France U20: Time by State in the USA

ET: 7:00 PM
CT: 6:00 PM
MT: 5:00 PM
PT: 4:00 PM

How to watch Japan U20 vs France U20 in the USA

Don’t miss this exciting 2025 U20 World Cup match between Japan U20 and France U20 in the USA. Watch the match on Fubo. Other options: Foxsports.com, Amazon Prime Video, FOX Sports App, FOX One, Fox Sports 2.

[Watch USA vs Japan online in the US on Fubo]

Coming off a disappointing 2-0 loss to South Korea that raised more questions than it answered, the U.S. Men’s National Team is back in action with another friendly as preparations continue for the 2026 World Cup, which they will host and therefore skip qualifying for.

This time, they square off against Japan, a side that impressed in their recent clash with Mexico despite not securing a win. Already booked for the next World Cup, Japan enter this international break without qualifiers of their own, making this test against one of CONCACAF’s top teams a valuable opportunity.

When will the USA vs Japan match be played?

USA play against Japan in a 2025 international friendly game this Tuesday, September 9, with the match kicking off at 7:30 PM (ET).

USA vs Japan: Time by State in the USA

ET: 7:30 PM
CT: 6:30 PM
MT: 5:30 PM
PT: 4:30 PM

How to watch USA vs Japan in the USA

This International Friendly clash between USA and Japan will be available for viewers in the USA on Fubo. Other options: TNT, Telemundo, Universo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Sling Orange, Peacock Premium, Max.

[Watch Mexico vs Japan online in the US on Fubo]

Even as a friendly, this matchup carries major weight with the World Cup just around the corner and both teams facing a long stretch without competitive action. Mexico, set to co-host the tournament, have already wrapped up their schedule despite ongoing qualifiers.

On the other hand, Japan have locked in its World Cup spot after advancing through the third round of Asian qualifying. For both sides, this game offers a prime opportunity to fine-tune lineups, experiment with tactics, and build momentum heading into the world stage.

When will the Mexico vs Japan match be played?

Mexico play against Japan in a 2025 international friendly game this Saturday, September 6, with the match kicking off at 10:00 PM (ET).

Mexico vs Japan: Time by State in the USA

ET: 10:00 PM
CT: 9:00 PM
MT: 8:00 PM
PT: 7:00 PM

How to watch Mexico vs Japan in the USA

This International Friendly clash between Mexico and Japan will be available for viewers in the USA on Fubo. Other options: Univision, TUDN, FOX Deportes, DirecTV Stream, ViX.

[Watch Japan U20 vs Mexico U20 online for FREE in the US on Fubo]

Group B leaders Japan U20 head into their next match buoyed by a confident 2-0 win over Congo, and they’re aiming to build on that strong start against a far sterner test.

Mexico U20, by contrast, opened with an epic 3-3 draw against Denmark that slipped away in the penalty shootout, so the Mexicans know another stumble could spell elimination—and they’ll be all-in for a vital victory.

When will the Japan U20 vs Mexico U20 match be played?

Japan U20 play against Mexico U20 this Saturday, June 7, for Matchday 2 of the Maurice Revello Tournament group stage. The match is set to kick off at 8:00 AM (ET).

Japan U20 vs Mexico U20: Time by State in the USA

ET: 8:00 AM
CT: 7:00 AM
MT: 6:00 AM
PT: 5:00 AM

How to watch Japan U20 vs Mexico U20 in the USA

The Maurice Revello Tournament matchup between Japan U20 and Mexico U20 will be available for viewers in the USA via Fubo (free trial). Other options: FOX Deportes.