Fixtures · Aug 5, 2026
Uruguay locked in as Japan's Sep 24 opponent, first Kirin Challenge Cup slot filled
One of the two open September dates just got filled in. The JFA and Kirin confirmed Aug 5 that Japan's first match since the World Cup, Sep 24 at Q&A Stadium Miyagi, will be against Uruguay, kicking off at 19:05 JST. That pairs with the Sep 28 clash against Venezuela in Hiroshima we already knew about, giving Samurai Blue two proper tests to open the post-World Cup cycle. Uruguay sit just outside Japan's own FIFA ranking bracket (20th to Japan's 13th) and the head-to-head is tight: two Japan wins, three draws, four losses all-time. Fuji TV will carry it nationwide with a TVer stream for anyone who needs it. Still to be filled in: the two October opponents for Kirin Cup Soccer in Yokohama and Tokyo. We'll keep you posted the moment those land.