The Japan national team, SAMURAI BLUE, will face Scotland in an international friendly at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Saturday, 28 March 2026. The match, announced by the Japan Football Association (JFA), will kick off at 17:00 local time (02:00 on Sunday, 29 March in Japan) and serves as a key warm-up fixture ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America.
High-intensity test in Glasgow ahead of the World Cup
Playing at the historic Hampden Park, Scotland’s national stadium, Japan will be tested in a European away environment with passionate home support and a physical, high-tempo style of play. With their World Cup berth already secured, Japan will use this fixture to fine-tune their organisation and mentality against a European side also preparing for the world’s biggest stage.
This friendly is part of a packed March international window for Japan, who are expected to play another top European opponent in the same period. For head coach Hajime Moriyasu and his staff, the Scotland match will offer valuable insights into player selection, tactical flexibility and the team’s ability to adapt quickly between different styles of opponents.
Match overview
| Competition | International Friendly |
| Date | Saturday, 28 March 2026 |
| Kick-off time | 17:00 (local time) / 02:00 (Japan time, Sunday 29 March) |
| Fixture | Scotland vs SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) |
| Venue | Hampden Park, Glasgow (Scotland) |
| TV broadcast | TBC |
Head-to-head record: Japan unbeaten against Scotland
Japan and Scotland have met three times in men’s senior internationals so far. Japan holds an unbeaten record in these fixtures with 1 win, 2 draws and no defeats, scoring 2 goals and conceding none. Past meetings have shown how tight and tactical this pairing can be, with Japan’s disciplined defending and quick attacking transitions often tested by Scotland’s physical presence and set-piece threat.
| Item | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 3 |
| Japan record | 1 win, 2 draws, 0 losses |
| Goals for / against | 2 scored / 0 conceded |
For Scotland, this match will be an important opportunity to test themselves against a technically and tactically sophisticated opponent from Asia, while for Japan it offers a chance to sharpen their level against a European side that has recently booked its place at the World Cup after a historic qualification campaign.
Looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Japan is set to face strong opposition in their World Cup group, including European and African opponents, and will need to be ready for a variety of playing styles. The Scotland fixture will help the team rehearse key themes such as building from the back under intense pressing, defending crosses and set plays, and making the most of transition opportunities.
There is also added interest for local supporters if Japanese players currently based in Scottish clubs are called up, creating a unique homecoming atmosphere. All eyes will be on how Japan performs in this demanding away setting, and what it may reveal about their readiness to challenge the world’s best in the summer.
Related video and social media
Behind-the-scenes footage, highlights and exclusive content from SAMURAI BLUE are regularly shared via JFA’s official YouTube channel “JFATV” and the national team’s social media accounts. Further details on the Scotland match, including squad announcements and broadcast information, will be provided in due course on JFA’s official platforms.
