Both teams heading to this summer’s World Cup will face off in a friendly at Hampden Park on Saturday evening.
With automatic qualification secured, the nations are focusing on the global finals, where both start their group stage on June 14.
Scotland earned their first World Cup appearance in 28 years through a dramatic Group C finale, narrowly defeating Denmark in a thrilling match at Hampden.
On that intense night, Scott McTominay’s stunning overhead kick opened the scoring, but Denmark equalized twice in Glasgow.
A brilliant finish from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean’s long-range strike in injury time secured the win for Scotland, igniting nationwide celebrations.
Steven Clarke has led the team for seven of those 28 years, now tasked with readying an experienced squad for Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti in the upcoming finals.
Scotland hosts Japan this weekend before facing Ivory Coast in Liverpool next Tuesday.
They enter on a strong run, winning eight of their last 12 matches after a poor stretch of one win in 16.
Scotland beat Liechtenstein 4-0 in their previous friendly but remain winless in 10 home games since 2016, making Saturday an opportunity to break that drought.
Japan, meanwhile, has excelled in recent friendlies, defeating Brazil, Ghana, and Bolivia last autumn.
The Samurai Blue have won five of their last six against European teams, including 4-1 over Germany and 4-2 against Turkiye.
With a smooth AFC qualifying campaign, Japan has won seven of their last 10 overall, boasting a sharp attack poised for summer impact.
Hajime Moriyasu’s team earned 23 points from 10 qualifiers, averaging three goals per game while conceding just three, qualifying early with three rounds left.
Scoring nine more in their last three friendlies, they aim to keep momentum before Group F clashes with the Netherlands, Tunisia, and a UEFA playoff winner.
On a short British tour—including England next Tuesday—Japan faces Scotland for the fourth time, after two 0-0 draws and a 2-0 win.
Scotland vs Japan (Friendly)
Recent Form
- Scotland form (all competitions): D W W W L W
- Japan form (all competitions): D L D W W W
Team News
Scotland manager Clarke misses speedy winger Ben Gannon-Doak but recalls Everton right-back Nathan Patterson, who was injured in autumn, plus Napoli’s Billy Gilmour, absent in November.
Scott McTominay and Aston Villa captain John McGinn have recovered from recent issues; McTominay has 14 international goals but none in 11 friendlies.
Forward options are refreshed with Tommy Conway and teenage winger Findlay Curtis, though no Hearts or Motherwell players were picked despite strong Premiership form.
Craig Gordon, 42, started against Denmark but is dropped, with first-choice Angus Gunn back fit. Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki returns after a hand injury.
Ajax duo Ko Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu are out, along with Take Kubo, Takumi Minamino, and captain Wataru Endo, who had ankle surgery and may miss the World Cup.
Daizen Maeda eyes facing Celtic teammates in Glasgow, where Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda could lead the attack with Take Kubo, who has 16 assists in his last 25 internationals.
Possible Starting Lineups
| Scotland | Japan |
|---|---|
| Gunn; Ralston, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson; Ferguson, Gilmour; McGinn, McTominay, Christie; Adams | Z. Suzuki; Watanabe, J. Suzuki, Taniguchi; Doan, Sano, Kamada, Nakamura; Kubo, Mitoma; Ueda |
Ranked 19 places higher in FIFA standings, Japan has been a formidable foe recently with potent firepower.
The sharp Samurai Blue could extend their four-game friendly winning streak and dampen the Hampden atmosphere.
For live scores and more match insights, visit Resultados Futbol Hoy.