Disclosure: Your support helps keep our site running! We earn referral fees for some of the products & services we recommend. Learn more

How to Watch the World Cup in Japan

Last Updated:

With the most significant sports event of the year about to commence, many eager fans worldwide are gearing up for Qatar 2022. Team Japan is hopeful they can push beyond their 2018 World Cup performance that ended during the Round of 16. Their 26-man roster incorporates both seasoned players like Maya Yoshida, who has experienced the tournament multiple times, and first-timers like Takehiro Tomiyasu. Learn how you can watch Qatar 2022 in Japan below.

TV Channels to Watch World Cup 2022 in Japan

The broadcast rights owned by ABEMA and Dentsu were sold to DAZN. ABEMA has ensured that the tournament will be aired free for Japanese fans to enjoy. This is the first time ABEMA has aired all live matches for no cost, and there will also be additional programming offering highlights and replays.

  • ABEMA – TV Channel

For those without cable in Japan or outside of the country, ABEMA Sports Connect provides a way to stream the matches.

Unblock Your Favorite Events & Teams With a VPN

If you can’t watch your favorite events or teams because of your location, a VPN will allow you to get the access you are entitled to, plus extra security and unequalled privacy. Check out our VPN Guide for everything you need to know, including our top pick ExpressVPN.

Learn how to watch March Madness!

Get ExpressVPN Today

How to Stream Qatar 2022 in Japan

Fortunately for soccer fans in Japan, there are several places to stream the big event in Qatar.

  • DAZN: This service offers streaming access to all the matches and a comprehensive schedule of other sporting events for just ¥2803/mo or annually for ¥21034/year.
  • Peacock Premium: For just ¥700/mo, this service provides access to an extensive library of shows, original content, news, movies, and sports. However, the Premium plan still includes ads, while the next tier Premium Plus is ad-free.
  • Sling TV: This streaming service can connect fans in Japan with all the action in Qatar plus over 40 channels for ¥5609/mo.
  • ABEMA Sports Connect: This streaming version of the cable channel in Japan offers a free 2-week trial and then requires ¥960/mo to access all the available content.

What Devices Support World Cup Streaming in Japan?

There are a variety of streaming devices available that offer a high-quality experience through the streaming services above. These include smartphones(iOS, Android), smart TVs, gaming consoles, tablets, Amazon FireTV, Chromecast, and more. You can also use a web browser on your PC for easy streaming access.

Superpower Your Streaming With a VPN

For the sake of privacy, security, and access, you should be using a VPN. They are low-cost and easy to use. We’ve been using them for years and our top pick is ExpressVPN. Be sure to check out our deals page on ExpressVPN, NordVPN, SurfShark and PureVPN.

i Our VPN Buyer’s Guide provides a complete introduction and all you need to know to choose the best VPN for your needs.

FIFA World Cup 2022 Schedule

The event kicks off with the initial Group Stage on November 20th. Each team in the sectioned groups will face each other once, with the winners moving forward to the next leg of the tournament.

DateMatchGroupTimeLocation
20 NovQatar vs EcuadorAAl Bayt Stadium
21 NovEngland vs IranBKhalifa International Stadium
21 NovSenegal vs NetherlandsAAl Thumama Stadium
21 NovUSA vs WalesBAhmad Bin Ali Stadium
22 NovArgentina vs Saudi ArabiaCLusail Stadium
22 NovDenmark vs TunisiaDEducation City Stadium
22 NovMexico vs PolandCStadium 974
22 NovAustralia vs FranceDAl Janoub Stadium
23 NovMorocco vs CroatiaFAl Bayt Stadium
23 NovGermany vs JapanEKhalifa International Stadium
23 NovSpain vs Costa RicaEAl Thumama Stadium
23 NovBelgium vs CanadaFAhmad Bin Ali Stadium
24 NovSwitzerland vs CameroonGAl Janoub Stadium
24 NovUruguay vs South KoreaHEducation City Stadium
24 NovPortugal vs GhanaHStadium 974
24 NovBrazil vs SerbiaGLusail Stadium
25 NovWales vs IranBAhmad Bin Ali Stadium
25 NovQatar vs SenegalAAl Thumama Stadium
25 NovNetherlands vs EcuadorAKhalifa International Stadium
25 NovEngland vs USABAl Bayt Stadium
26 NovTunisia vs AustraliaDAl Janoub Stadium
26 NovPoland vs Saudi ArabiaCEducation City Stadium
26 NovFrance vs DenmarkDStadium 974
26 NovArgentina vs MexicoCLusail Stadium
27 NovJapan vs Costa RicaEAhmad Bin Ali Stadium
27 NovBelgium vs MoroccoFAl Thumama Stadium
27 NovCanada vs CroatiaFKhalifa International Stadium
27 NovSpain vs GermanyEAl Bayt Stadium
28 NovCameroon vs SerbiaGAl Janoub Stadium
28 NovSouth Korea vs GhanaHEducation City Stadium
28 NovBrazil vs SwitzerlandGStadium 974
28 NovPortugal vs UruguayHLusail Stadium
29 NovEcuador vs SenegalAKhalifa International Stadium
29 NovNetherlands vs QatarAAl Bayt Stadium
29 NovIran vs USABAl Thumama Stadium
29 NovWales vs EnglandBAhmad Bin Ali Stadium
30 NovTunisia vs FranceDEducation City Stadium
30 NovAustralia vs DenmarkDAl Janoub Stadium
30 NovPoland vs ArgentinaCStadium 974
30 NovSaudi Arabia vs MexicoCLusail Stadium
1 DecBelgium vs CroatiaFAhmad Bin Ali Stadium
1 DecCanada vs MoroccoFAl Thumama Stadium
1 DecJapan vs SpainEKhalifa International Stadium
1 DecCosta Rica vs GermanyEAl Bayt Stadium
2 DecSouth Korea vs PortugalHEducation City Stadium
2 DecGhana vs UruguayHAl Janoub Stadium
2 DecSerbia vs SwitzerlandGStadium 974
2 DecCameroon vs BrazilGLusail Stadium
3 DecNetherlands vs USARound of 16Khalifa International Stadium
3 DecArgentina vs AustraliaRound of 16Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
4 DecFrance vs PolandRound of 16Al Thumama Stadium
4 DecEngland vs SenegalRound of 16Al Bayt Stadium
5 DecJapan vs CroatiaRound of 16Al Janoub Stadium
5 DecBrazil vs South KoreaRound of 16Stadium 974
6 DecMorocco vs SpainRound of 16Education City Stadium
6 DecPortugal vs SwitzerlandRound of 16Lusail Stadium
9 DecBrazil vs CroatiaQuarter-FinalsEducation City Stadium
9 DecNetherlands vs ArgentinaQuarter-FinalsLusail Stadium
10 DecMorocco vs PortugalQuarter-FinalsAl Thumama Stadium
10 DecEngland vs FranceQuarter-FinalsAl Bayt Stadium
13 DecArgentina vs CroatiaSemi-FinalsLusail Stadium
14 DecFrance vs MoroccoSemi-FinalsAl Bayt Stadium
17 DecCroatia vs MoroccoThird Place Play-offKhalifa International Stadium
18 DecArgentina vs FranceFinalLusail Stadium

Following the Group Stage, teams will compete to knock each other out of the running. The following is a brief outline of the scheduled tournament phases:

  • Round of 16 (December 3-6)
  • Quarter-Finals (December 9-10)
  • Semi-Finals (December 9-10)
  • Third-Place Play-Off (December 17)
  • Finals (December 18th)

What to Know Before You Go

Team Japan has promise this year and has shown its competitiveness in the past. Fans only have to wait a little longer to see sports history unfold. Tune into all the action by selecting one of the options listed above.

World Cup Qatar 2022 Viewer’s Guides Outside the US

For more information on watching matches in different areas, see our World Cup VPN Guide.

Sharon Amondi
Follow me
Latest posts by Sharon Amondi (see all)
    Share via
    Copy link
    Powered by Social Snap