The 2026 World Cup is almost here! In a few days, you’ll get to see 48 soccer teams, including Japan, compete against each other in a bid to win the world title.
If you are in Japan, how can you watch the World Cup? While you might not be able to watch the event live in North America, in Japan, there are plenty of options for watching the World Cup, from bar livestreams to cable TV at home.
In this blog, we’ll cover some of the options available to you if you want to watch the World Cup in Japan. Whether you’re a die-hard soccer fan or a casual viewer, you’ll be able to watch this must-watch event without missing out.
When is the World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 through to July 19. The group stages will take place from June 11 to June 27, then the knockout stages will take place from June 28 to July 19.
Where to Watch The World Cup in Japan on Streaming and Live TV
Want to watch the World Cup in the comfort of your home? There are plenty of options available to you if you don’t want to go out to a crowded bar to watch this event. Note that some of these options can be pricey if you decide to go with them.
1. Japanese Cable TV
If you have access to cable TV at your accommodation or residence, most major channels will show the World Cup. Channels such as NHK, Fuji Television, and Nippon TV will show select matches, such as the Netherlands vs. Japan on June 15. Commentary is exclusively in Japanese, so if you want to watch some World Cup matches at home and don’t mind the commentary, then this option is perfect for you.
Keep in mind, however, if you’re a resident of Japan, it’s technically mandatory to pay for Japanese cable TV, especially for NHK. This technically doesn’t apply if you don’t have a TV that can receive broadcasts, however.
Also, they will be streamed in Japanese, so we recommend brushing up on your listening skills at Coto Academy! Contact us to learn more about intensive Japanese lessons or part-time options. Inquire with us today.
2. DAZN
DAZN is a streaming service that exclusively broadcasts sports events, from soccer and baseball to even motorsports. The service will broadcast all 104 matches, including the ones Japan is playing in. The good thing is, you can connect DAZN to services such as Apple TV, so you can watch all matches at home (or through the DAZN app on your iPhone or iPad if you don’t have a TV). One thing to note is that the commentary will be in Japanese.
If you’re looking to watch the World Cup only, then DAZN’s Soccer Plan will cost ¥980 for the first three months, which is perfect if you don’t plan to use the service after the World Cup is over. Otherwise, the Standard Plan will cost ¥1980 for the first three months. Note that all matches Japan will be playing in are free to watch.
2. Use a VPN
If you have access to a foreign streaming service, you might want to consider using a VPN to access said service from Japan to bypass the region lock. A VPN, which stands for ‘virtual private network’, encrypts the user’s data when surfing the web, but some VPNs allow you to connect to international servers. VPNs tend to be pricey, however, and most ‘free’ VPNs will have a monthly data limit. Depending on the streaming service you want to use, the commentary might be in your native language, such as English.
If you can afford to subscribe to a VPN, we recommend using ExpressVPN, SurfShark, or NordVPN.
Where to Watch the World Cup In-Person in Japan
While you won’t be able to watch it in person (since it takes place in North America), there are many bars and pubs that are livestreaming the event. Most bars will use DAZN to broadcast the World Cup, so if you don’t mind listening to the Japanese commentary and want to experience the lively vibes of sports bars in Japan, going out to watch the World Cup might be your best option, if not the most affordable option.
Here are some of our recommendations on where to watch the World Cup in Japan:
1. HUB British Pub
Located throughout Japan, especially in Tokyo, this pub chain usually streams a variety of sports matches, including soccer. Most HUB chains will broadcast most of, if not all, World Cup matches, including the early-morning and late-night matches, as well as Japan’s matches. We recommend that you go to a HUB when Japan is playing, so that you can experience the pub atmosphere with a bunch of fans.
Make sure to check which HUBs will remain open late to broadcast the World Cup! Some branches might not even show the late-night or early-morning matches. Also, keep in mind that these places tend to get crowded when Japan is playing, so you might not even find a table or seat.
2. Hobgoblin
This Shibuya and Roppongi-based bar is a British-style pub that broadcasts a variety of sporting events, such as soccer, rugby, and even motorsports. For the World Cup especially, they will broadcast most matches, but only within regular hours. For matches that will take place during the late-night or early morning, replays of the match will be available the day after during regular operating hours.
3. Three Monkeys Cafe
Three Monkeys Cafe, as the name suggests, is not a cafe; it’s a small chain of sports bars located mostly in the Ginza, Ueno, and Shinjuku areas of Tokyo, though they have branches in Yokohama and the Dotonbori area of Osaka. This sports bar chain will only show the matches Japan is playing in, though please check which branch is broadcasting these matches before you go!
4. Outdoor events and movie theaters
Especially in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, there are some outdoor events and cinemas that will broadcast Japan’s matches against the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden in the group stages. Instead of standing around in a bar watching a small screen, you’ll get to watch the World Cup on a big screen while sitting on a comfortable chair, along with other fans.
To gain access to these events, tickets are required in advance. They are usually obtained through either bookings or a lottery system for some events. You might want to get your Japanese friend to secure your spot.
Where to Find a World Cup Watch Party in Japan
Finding a watch party in Japan is actually pretty easy, thanks to a service run by DAZN called Fansta. Fansta allows users to search for World Cup watch parties throughout Japan. You can check for watch parties according to which match you want to watch, as well as nearby watch parties in your prefecture. You will need a Japanese phone number to register for their events, so if you’re coming to visit, you might want to ask a friend in Japan to book your spot.
If you just want to watch the matches where Japan is playing, then you will definitely need a reservation in advance. Make sure to register 4 hours before the match starts, and book quickly, since slots may sell out.
Conclusion: Watching the World Cup in Japan is Accessible if You Plan in Advance!
And now you know where to watch the World Cup! Whether you’re planning to watch it at home or in a bar, make sure to plan in advance so you don’t have to worry about last-minute options. Whichever team you choose to cheer for, even if it’s not Japan, have fun! You won’t be able to see the World Cup for the next four years, so make the most out of it!
Come Study Japanese to Understand the Livestreams in Japan!
Now that you’ve read through this article, you might want to brush up on your Japanese so you can understand some of the commentary that might be announced while watching. That’s where Coto Japanese Academy comes in. With over 25 years of experience teaching practical Japanese, our classes are tailored to your needs in small classes, so that you may receive sufficient support to improve your Japanese. We also provide JLPT preparation courses as well as business Japanese courses if you’re looking to improve your language skills for your future career.
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FAQ
Is Japan participating in the World Cup this year?
Yes, Japan is one of the qualifying teams this year. They’ll be playing against the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden in the group stages. Their team is commonly referred to as “Samurai Blue.”
When is the World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 through to July 19. The group stages will take place from June 11 to June 27, then the knockout stages will take place from June 28 to July 19.
Does Shibuya Crossing get crowded during the World Cup?
Yes! In the event Japan does win a match, you might see huge crowds of people celebrating in Shibuya Crossing, including crowd control from local authorities. Plan your visit to Japan accordingly if going there during World Cup season!
How do you say “I like soccer” in Japanese?
You can say 「サッカーが好きです。」(sakkaa ga suki desu.) Click here to learn how to talk about your interests.
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