Fixtures · Aug 7, 2026
Kirin Cup October field is set: Japan opens vs Ecuador, knockout format decides who's next
The whole fall slate is public now. The JFA confirmed Aug 7 that Ecuador, Panama and New Zealand will join Japan for October's Kirin Cup Soccer, and it's a genuine knockout, not a round robin. Japan opens Oct 1 at Yokohama's International Stadium against Ecuador, kicking off at 19:10 JST on TBS and TVer, while Panama and New Zealand play the other semifinal the same night. Win, and Samurai Blue advance to face the Panama/NZ winner at National Stadium on Oct 5. Lose, and it's the loser instead, still a final, just for different stakes. Moriyasu called it "a wonderful strengthening opportunity," pointing out all three visitors played at this summer's World Cup. With Uruguay (Sep 24) and Venezuela (Sep 28) already locked in, every fall fixture now has a name attached, four proper tests before January's trip to Riyadh, and Japan will be chasing a first Kirin Cup title in 15 years.