England vs Japan meet at Wembley in a heavyweight international friendly that doubles as a World Cup tune-up for both sides. Two great players from each team, Harry Kane (goal machine) and Kaoru Mitoma, face off in front of 90,000 fans.
England is using this March window to sharpen up before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Japan arrive with a strong European-based squad and a chance to test themselves against elite opposition on one of football’s biggest stages.
This match is a key moment for Thomas Tuchel as he aims to fine-tune his starting XI after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Uruguay last Friday.
UEFA-style stakes are not on the line here, but the pressure still feels real because both teams want momentum and clarity before the summer.
England vs Japan – Match Details, Date, Time, Predictions, Lineups & More
- Match: England vs Japan.
- Tournament: International Match / Friendly.
- Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
- Time: 7:45 PM GMT / 3:45 PM ET.
- Stadium: Wembley Stadium, London.
- Broadcast: ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player in the UK; the official England match page does not list a U.S. broadcaster.
Team News and Analysis
England Preview
England come into this match with a deep, attack-heavy squad and plenty of competition for places. Thomas Tuchel named a 35-man group for the March window, then trimmed it down as the camp moved toward the Japan game.
The squad includes Jordan Pickford, Marc Guéhi, John Stones, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Harry Kane, which tells you how much quality England can put on the pitch even in a friendly.
The recent draw with Uruguay showed that England can control long stretches of a match, but they still need sharper finishing in the final third.
Expect England to press high, keep the ball in Japan’s half, and try to isolate wide areas through Saka, Gordon, or Foden. At Wembley, the Three Lions should feel comfortable dictating tempo.
Japan Preview
Japan arrive with a strong, technically clean squad and several players who know English football well. Their official group includes Kaoru Mitoma, Daichi Kamada, Ao Tanaka, and Hiroki Ito, while captain Wataru Endo is listed by England’s match centre as Japan’s skipper. That gives the Samurai Blue a mix of ball control, discipline, and Premier League-level familiarity.
Japan’s biggest strength is structure. They usually stay compact, move the ball quickly, and punish teams that lose shape in transition. If they can absorb England’s early pressure and get Mitoma or Doan running at full backs, they have the quality to create chances of their own.
Head-to-Head Statistics
England and Japan have met three times at senior level, with England winning two and drawing one. England’s official match centre also notes that the last meeting came in 2010, when the Three Lions won 2-1 in a friendly.
England vs Japan Starting XI
- England Starting XI vs Japan (4-2-3-1): Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Marc Guéhi, Lewis Hall; Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham; Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer; Harry Kane.
- Japan Starting XI vs Japan (4-2-3-1): Zion Suzuki; Yukinari Sugawara, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Shogo Taniguchi, Hiroki Ito; Wataru Endo, Ao Tanaka; Ritsu Doan, Daichi Kamada, Kaoru Mitoma; Ayase Ueda.
Key Players to Watch
England: Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Declan Rice. Kane is still the biggest finishing threat, while Bellingham and Foden can decide the game between the lines.
Japan: Kaoru Mitoma, Daichi Kamada, Ritsu Doan, Ao Tanaka, Wataru Endo. Japan’s attack looks most dangerous when Mitoma and Doan can drive forward quickly from wide areas.
Match Prediction
England have the stronger overall squad and the home advantage, but Japan are good enough to make this competitive if England waste chances. The most likely pattern is England controlling possession and Japan looking dangerous on the break.
- Prediction: England 2-1 Japan.
Where to Watch England vs Japan
In the UK, the match is listed on ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player. The official England page does not name a U.S. broadcaster, so U.S. viewers should check local listings or streaming availability closer to kick-off.
| Region | Broadcasters |
|---|---|
| United States | beIN SPORTS XTRA (available on Fubo, Roku, and YouTube) |
| United Kingdom | ITV1 and streaming live/on-demand via ITVX |
| Japan | TV Asahi and ABEMA |
| Australia | Optus Sport |
When is England vs Japan?
Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
What time does it kick off?
7:45 PM GMT, which is 3:45 PM ET.
Where is the match being played?
Wembley Stadium in London.
Where can I watch it?
ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player in the UK.
Who is the favorite team?
England are the slight favorite because of squad depth and home advantage, but Japan have enough quality to keep it close. That is an inference based on the official squad lists and recent team context.
