Nadeshiko Japan, the Japan Women’s National Team, will play a trio of international friendlies away to the United States on Saturday 11, Tuesday 14 and Friday 17 April 2026. The three matches, to be held in San Jose, Seattle and Commerce City, were officially announced by the Japan Football Association (JFA) and will serve as key tests on the road to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
Three-game series across the United States
The series will see Nadeshiko Japan visit three major venues that are also home to NWSL clubs, offering a variety of environments and atmospheres within a short period. Kick-off times for all three games are still to be confirmed, but all fixtures will be played in the evening local time.
| Match | Date (local) | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Saturday, 11 April 2026 Kick-off time TBC | USA Women vs Nadeshiko Japan | PayPal Park (San Jose, California) |
| Game 2 | Tuesday, 14 April 2026 Kick-off time TBC | USA Women vs Nadeshiko Japan | Lumen Field (Seattle, Washington) |
| Game 3 | Friday, 17 April 2026 Kick-off time TBC | USA Women vs Nadeshiko Japan | DICK’S Sporting Goods Park (Commerce City, Colorado) |
Details regarding TV broadcasts and streaming will be announced in due course by the organisers and JFA. All times listed are local time in the United States.
Head-to-head record against the United States
The United States Women’s National Team remains one of the most successful teams in the history of the women’s game and is ranked 2nd in the FIFA Women’s World Ranking as of 11 December 2025, while Japan is ranked 8th. The rivalry between the two nations includes memorable clashes in World Cups and the Olympic Games.
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| FIFA ranking (11 Dec 2025) | USA: 2nd / Japan: 8th |
| All-time record (Japan) | 2 wins, 8 draws, 31 losses (33 goals for, 107 against)* *Penalty shootouts counted as draws |
In their last three meetings, Japan recorded a 2–1 victory at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup final, but suffered narrow defeats at the Paris 2024 Olympic quarter-finals (0–1 after extra time) and the 2024 SheBelieves Cup (1–2). The three April fixtures will therefore provide another chance for Nadeshiko Japan to measure themselves against a world-class opponent.
Manager Nils Nielsen’s perspective
Head coach Nils Nielsen has highlighted the importance of the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, stating that the team aims to win as many matches as possible and ultimately lift the trophy. He views the April window in the United States as a “midpoint check” on the team’s long-term journey toward the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Facing the USA three times away from home, against a side that combines speed, physicality and technical quality, will allow Japan to assess where they stand and identify key areas for further improvement. Nielsen also praised USA head coach Emma Hayes for successfully guiding the team through a generational transition while maintaining their status as one of the top teams in the world.
Road to Brazil 2027: what to watch
Japan’s schedule in the coming years will be demanding, with the Asian Cup, World Cup qualifiers and other key tournaments on the horizon. The US series will test Japan’s ability to cope with high pressing, aerial duels and set pieces, while also providing opportunities to showcase their own strengths in possession play, quick combinations and collective defending.
Fans will be watching closely to see how overseas-based players and domestic standouts are integrated into the squad, and how Nielsen manages rotation and tactical flexibility across three matches in a short window.
Related video and social media
Highlights, behind-the-scenes content and interviews with Nadeshiko Japan are regularly published via JFA’s official YouTube channel “JFATV” and the Nadeshiko Japan official X (Twitter) account. Further information about the USA series, including squad announcements and broadcast details, will be shared through these official platforms.
