Scotland vs Japan: TV Channel, Kick-Off Time, and How to Watch for Free
Scotland returns to Hampden Park for the first time since securing their historic World Cup qualification, as they face Japan in a pivotal friendly match. This encounter marks the beginning of their final preparations for the upcoming tournament, with Steve Clarke's squad eager to build momentum ahead of the global stage.
Match Details and Broadcast Information
The highly anticipated clash between Scotland and Japan is scheduled for Saturday, 28 March 2026, with kick-off set for 5:00 PM GMT. Fans across the nation can tune in to watch the action unfold live on BBC One Scotland, ensuring comprehensive coverage of this significant fixture. Additionally, the match will be available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, offering viewers the flexibility to watch from various devices at no cost.
Team News and Squad Updates
Scotland enters this friendly with several key players sidelined due to injuries. Notably, veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon, aged 43, is absent as he races against time to recover from a shoulder issue before the World Cup. Striker Lawrence Shankland, who scored in the memorable 4-2 victory over Denmark that sealed qualification, is also unavailable as he works on regaining match fitness.
Further absences include winger Ben Gannon-Doak, who is recently back from injury, and right-back Aaron Hickey, who is nursing a hamstring problem. In their stead, Angus Gunn is expected to start in goal, despite not featuring since October's win over Belarus. Everton's Nathan Patterson returns to bolster the defensive line, while Kilmarnock forward Findlay Curtis earns his first senior call-up. Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway and Wrexham's Don Hyam have also been recalled to the squad.
Potential Line-Up and Squad List
Possible Scotland Starting XI: Gunn; Patterson, Hanley, McKenna, Robertson; McGinn, Ferguson, Gilmour, Christie; McTominay; Adams.
Full Scotland Squad for Japan and Ivory Coast Friendlies:
- Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers)
- Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic)
- Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Andy Irving (Sparta Prague), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lennon Miller (Udinese)
- Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough), Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich)
Context and Significance
This match holds immense importance as it represents Scotland's first outing since that dramatic night in November when they defeated Denmark 4-2 to qualify for their first men's World Cup since 1998. With the tournament opener against Haiti looming on 14 June, these friendlies against Japan and the Ivory Coast are critical for fine-tuning tactics and assessing player form. Steve Clarke will use this camp to finalize his World Cup squad, making every minute on the pitch invaluable for the players involved.
