January 7, 2026
Japan’s national team (SAMURAI BLUE) are expected to face Scotland during their March European tour, according to reports from the Japan Football Association (JFA) and local media.
With the North & Central American World Cup kicking off in June, Moriyasu’s side will head to the birthplace of football, the UK, for what is shaping up to be a final round of serious tune-ups.
March European Tour: A UK Double-Header
This tour is designed as a high-level simulation of Japan’s expected World Cup opponents — including the Netherlands from their group and a potential European playoff winner (Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, or Albania).
Match Schedule (Local Time)
| Match | Fixture | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | vs Scotland | March 26 or 27 (TBC) | Hampden Park (Glasgow) |
| Match 2 | vs England | March 31 (Tue) 19:45 | Wembley (London) |
Why Scotland Matters
Scotland, who have qualified for the World Cup for the first time in seven tournaments, play a physical, highly disciplined style. They are a near-perfect stand-in for the kind of “awkward European opponent” Japan could face in the decisive third group match.
Historic Venues
Hampden Park is where Zinedine Zidane scored his legendary volley in the 2002 Champions League final. Wembley, meanwhile, needs no introduction. A tour of Britain’s two iconic stadiums makes this a genuinely historic trip for Japan.
Japan NT Fan Reactions
6: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 07:46
Nice and compact schedule, barely any travel. JFA actually did something right for once.
5: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 07:43
We’re probably sending a B team for this one.
8: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 07:52
Feels like they’ll rotate heavily again. Last year’s USA match was the same story — good opponent, zero takeaways because of half-baked lineups.
It’s right before the World Cup. You swap 2–3 players max, not half the squad, or it’s pointless.
10: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 07:54
>>8
US tour also had CBs dropping like flies, couldn’t even field a proper back line.
Moriyasu’s bad at rotation too, but injuries killed us there.
14: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 07:58
>>10
Defensive depth is way better now with guys coming back.
Hopefully we can actually field two competitive XIs this time.
Just pray nobody gets injured during winter.
12: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 07:56
England (elite) + Scotland (solid) is actually great matchmaking.
17: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 08:08
By the way, has Korea even decided their March opponent yet?
20: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 08:15
>>17
Apparently not.
“Korea ignored, no ‘Japan effect’ — Asian No.2 shocked as Spain lines up a friendly while Korea don’t even have a March opponent yet.”
48: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 14:36
>>17
They usually piggyback on teams Japan pays to invite.
When Japan goes abroad, Korea actually has to negotiate themselves — and nobody bites.
18: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 08:11
Perfect chance to smash those ‘league-level merchants’ from Scotland.
Even if their stars play abroad, beating them with rotated squads would be massive.
19: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 08:15
To be fair, Scotland’s national team is pretty strong.
24: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 08:32
Scotland national team squad (called up November 2025)
[GK]
• Craig Gordon (Hearts)
• Liam Kelly (Rangers)
• Scott Bain (Falkirk)
[DF]
• Andrew Robertson (Liverpool / England)
• Kieran Tierney (Celtic)
• John Souttar (Rangers)
• Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb / Croatia)
• Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq / Saudi Arabia)
• Aaron Hickey (Brentford / England)
• Grant Hanley (Hibernian)
• Anthony Ralston (Celtic)
• Josh Doig (Sassuolo / Italy)
[MF]
• Scott McTominay (Napoli / Italy)
• Billy Gilmour (Napoli / Italy)
• John McGinn (Aston Villa / England)
• Ryan Christie (Bournemouth / England)
• Lewis Ferguson (Bologna / Italy)
• Kenny McLean (Norwich / England)
• Andy Irving (West Ham / England)
• Connor Barron (Rangers)
[FW]
• Che Adams (Torino / Italy)
• Lyndon Dykes (Birmingham / England)
• Ben Doak (Bournemouth / England)
• Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)
• George Hirst (Ipswich / England)
33: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 09:34
>>24
Lots of Championship and Scottish league players.
Depth looks thin.
51: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 14:44
>>24
Playing against McTominay is great experience.
26: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 08:45
Two huge stadiums back-to-back.
Clear sign Japan are seen as a draw now.
27: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 08:52
Scotland’s overseas players are legit.
Domestic-league guys? Not scary at all.
30: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 08:59
McTominay’s overhead kick in the qualifiers was insane.
35: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 11:06
>>30
That was pure hype.
38: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 12:21
Honestly, great fixtures. England + Scotland in March is elite prep.
41: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 12:29
Back-to-back UK games means almost zero travel for Europe-based players. Perfect.
42: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 12:30
FA really cooked this time. Can’t wait.
49: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 14:39
At least they didn’t make them cross Dover into France lol.
55: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 15:17
>>1
Someone introduce Nakamura to Tierney already.
56: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 15:22
Scotland still have McTominay, right? He’s quality.
58: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 15:46
>>56
Serie A MVP
Banger merchant
Pure fighter
Utility man
Always scores when the team’s in trouble
29 years old, peak form — watch his Napoli games.
52: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 14:48
Even though it’s all Britain, Scotland feels totally different from England.
