How to watch Japan World Cup matches on NHK and DAZN from abroad
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Japan came from behind to draw 2-2 with the Netherlands in their Group F opener on June 14th in Dallas. The Samurai Blue face Tunisia next on June 20th at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe at midnight ET / 9:00 PM PT / 1:00 PM JST on June 21st. The group stage closes against Sweden at the Dallas Stadium on June 25th at 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT / 8:00 AM JST on June 26th.
Whether you are living abroad or traveling during the tournament, watching Japan on NHK or DAZN gives you the Japanese commentary and atmosphere you know from home. NHK and DAZN Japan both stream World Cup matches in Japanese, but both platforms are geo-restricted and will not load from an IP address outside Japan. A VPN with a Japanese server changes your virtual location so the live broadcast plays as it would in Tokyo, Osaka, or Sapporo.
NHK Plus streams Japan's World Cup matches in Japanese via free account registration, while DAZN Japan covers all 104 matches for subscribers. Both are geo-restricted outside Japan, but a VPN with a Japanese server unlocks them from abroad so you can follow the Samurai Blue with the commentary you know from home. We recommend NordVPN for reliable Japanese server access and smooth HD streaming.
Where to watch Japan at the 2026 World Cup
| Country | Streaming service | Price | Local kickoff time | Notes |
| Japan | NHK Plus | Free (account required) | JST per match | Japan matches and selected tournament games. Free NHK Plus account required. Geo-blocked outside Japan. |
| Japan | DAZN Japan | From JPY 4,200/month | JST per match | All 104 matches live. Paid subscription required. Geo-blocked outside Japan. |
How to watch Japanese TV from abroad with a VPN
NHK Plus streams Japan's World Cup matches in Japanese via a free account, making it the most accessible option for Japanese fans abroad. DAZN Japan carries all 104 matches for subscribers and is the cleanest single-subscription option for the full tournament. Both platforms block access from IP addresses outside Japan, but a VPN with a Japanese server restores the stream wherever you are. For a full breakdown of providers, see our guide to the best VPNs for streaming sports.
- Choose a VPN. We recommend NordVPN for watching Japanese TV from abroad. It runs servers across 212 locations including Japan, delivers 86% speed retention on the NordLynx protocol in our testing, and supports Smart DNS for smart TVs that do not have a native VPN app.
- Install the VPN app on your device. NordVPN is available on Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android, Fire TV, Android TV, and Apple TV. Download the app from your device's official app store.
- Connect to a Japan server. Open the app, select Japan, and connect. Tokyo is typically the fastest city option. Your connection now appears to come from Japan.
- Open your preferred Japanese broadcaster. Go to plus.nhk.jp for NHK Plus (you will need to sign in to your NHK Plus account or register for a free one) or dazn.com/ja-JP for DAZN Japan if you have an active subscription.
- Start streaming before kickoff. Test the connection a few minutes early. If the stream does not load, switch to a different Japan server in the NordVPN app and try again.
Japan World Cup 2026 match schedule
Japan's three group-stage matches are split between Dallas and Monterrey. The evening slots in North America translate to early morning in Japan, so Japanese fans in Europe are watching at a reasonable afternoon or evening window. Kickoff times are confirmed per FIFA's official Match Centre.
| Match | Date | Venue | ET / PT | JST |
| Netherlands vs Japan | June 14th, 2026 (played, 2-2) | Dallas Stadium, Dallas, TX | 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT | 5:00 AM JST, June 15th |
| Tunisia vs Japan | June 20th, 2026 | Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico | 12:00 AM ET / 9:00 PM PT (June 20) | 1:00 PM JST, June 21st |
| Japan vs Sweden | June 25th, 2026 | Dallas Stadium, Dallas, TX | 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT | 8:00 AM JST, June 26th |
NHK and DAZN Japan both carry every Japan group match and will continue to broadcast Samurai Blue knockout games if Japan advances, through the final on July 19th, 2026.
Why you need a VPN to watch Japanese TV abroad
NHK Plus and DAZN Japan are licensed to stream World Cup content in Japan only. When you open either platform from an IP address outside Japan, the service detects your location and blocks the stream, whether or not you have an active account or subscription.
A VPN solves this by routing your traffic through a Japanese server, so both platforms read a Japanese IP address and the content loads as it would at home. This is the standard route Japanese expats and travelers use to access home streaming services while abroad. For more on Japanese streaming options and VPN compatibility, see our guide on how to watch Japanese TV abroad, or browse our best VPNs for streaming guide for a broader provider comparison.
Best VPNs for watching Japanese TV from abroad
- NordVPN, best overall for Japanese TV abroad. NordVPN starts from $3.49/month on the 2-year plan and covers 212 locations worldwide, including servers in Japan. Our Cybernews testing shows 86% NordLynx speed retention, which holds up well for HD live sports on both NHK Plus and DAZN Japan. Smart DNS support lets you also watch on Apple TV, Roku, and smart TVs without a native VPN app. Read our full NordVPN review for more.
- Surfshark, best budget option for households. Surfshark starts from $2.49/month and includes unlimited simultaneous device connections, making it practical when several family members want to watch on different devices at the same time. Its 4,500 servers span 100 countries including Japan, and our Cybernews testing puts WireGuard speed retention at 80%, which is reliable enough for streaming NHK Plus or DAZN Japan from abroad. Full details are in our Surfshark review.
- IPVanish, best for unlimited connections. IPVanish starts from $2.19/month on the 2-year Essential plan and covers 3,400+ servers across 112 countries, including Japan. Our Cybernews testing shows 92% download speed retention on WireGuard, which holds up well for HD live sports. Unlimited simultaneous connections are included on every plan, and a 7-day free trial is available on iOS and Android. See our full IPVanish review.
Frequently asked questions
Which Japanese channels broadcast the 2026 World Cup?
NHK is the primary free public broadcaster, streaming Japan's World Cup matches on NHK Plus with a free account. DAZN Japan carries all 104 matches in Japanese for subscribers at from JPY 4,200/month, making it the go-to option for viewers who want to watch every game, not just Japan's.
Do I need a Japanese NHK account to watch from abroad?
Yes. NHK Plus requires a free NHK account to access the live stream. If you already have an NHK Plus account, you only need a VPN connected to a Japanese server to unblock it from abroad. If you do not have an account, registration requires a Japanese email address or mobile number, so DAZN Japan may be the more straightforward option if you have an existing subscription.
Can I watch Japan matches abroad without a VPN?
Japanese broadcasters are not available outside Japan without a VPN. Alternatives that are accessible from abroad include DAZN in markets where it operates (though region-specific subscriptions vary), BBC iPlayer or ITVX for English commentary in the UK, and SBS On Demand for free English coverage in Australia. These services use different commentary teams from the Japanese broadcast.
Which VPN server should I use for Japanese TV?
Connect to a server in Japan — Tokyo is the fastest city option in most VPN apps. A US, European, or other foreign server will not unblock NHK Plus or DAZN Japan. If the first Japanese server is slow at kickoff, switch to another one inside the app.
Is DAZN Japan the same as DAZN in other countries?
No. DAZN is operated as a separate service per country, with different rights packages and pricing. A DAZN subscription from the US, UK, or another country will not give access to DAZN Japan's World Cup streams. You need an active DAZN Japan account, accessible from a Japanese IP address via a VPN.
