Australia vs Japan Live Score, Highlights, Kick-off Time & How to Watch the Epic Showdown

Australia and Japan meet tonight in a high-stakes AFC third-round qualifier that could rubber-stamp a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and reshape the balance of power in Asian football. Kick-off at Perth’s Optus Stadium is 7:10 pm AWST (9:10 pm AEST / 12:10 pm BST / 7:10 am ET) and every ticket was snapped up within 48 hours of release, guaranteeing a capacity 61,000 crowd roaring the Socceroos on in their first competitive fixture on home soil since January. How to watch and live stream • Australia: Free-to-air on Channel 10, streaming via 10 Play and Paramount+ from 6:30 pm AWST. • United States: Live on beIN Sports, Fubo and Fanatiz (free trial available) at 7:10 am ET. • United Kingdom: Viaplay Sports 2, coverage from 11:55 am BST. • Radio: ABC Sport (Australia) and NHK Radio (Japan) provide commentary. What’s at stake • Group B standings: Australia 18 pts (+12 GD), Japan 17 pts (+15), Saudi Arabia 13 pts. A win guarantees automatic qualification; a draw keeps the Socceroos top but leaves both sides looking over their shoulders at Saudi Arabia, who host China later tonight. • History: Japan’s Samurai Blue have won the last four competitive meetings, including the 2-1 thriller in Saitama that cost Australia an automatic berth for Qatar 2022. Graham Arnold’s men have not beaten Japan since 2009. Form guide Australia: W-W-D-W-W – the only blemish a 0-0 stalemate away to Saudi Arabia in March. Japan: W-W-W-D-W – Hajime Moriyasu has blended veterans with U-21 Asian Cup stand-outs, rattling in 11 goals across the last three outings. Key match-ups to watch • Harry Souttar vs Ayase Ueda – Souttar’s aerial dominance meets Ueda’s sharp movement in the inside-right channel. • Keanu Baccus vs Daichi Kamada – the St Mirren enforcer must shackle Japan’s chief creator, who averages 2.9 key passes per 90. • Craig Goodwin vs Yukinari Sugawara – Goodwin’s set-piece delivery remains Australia’s most reliable weapon; Sugawara’s overlapping runs could pin him back. Predicted line-ups Australia (4-2-3-1): Ryan; Atkinson, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Irvine, Baccus; Boyle, Metcalfe, Goodwin; Duke. Japan (4-3-3): Suzuki; Sugawara, Taniguchi, Tomiyasu, Nagatomo; Endo, Kamada, Morita; Doan, Ueda, Mitoma. Tactical snapshot Arnold is expected to press high for the opening quarter-hour, attempting to isolate Japan’s centre-backs in 1-v-1 duels with Mitch Duke. When the press is bypassed, Australia will collapse into a 4-4-2 mid-block, inviting crosses toward Souttar’s 198 cm frame. Moriyasu’s side will target the half-spaces, with Mitoma cutting inside to drag Nathaniel Atkinson narrow, freeing veteran Yuto Nagatomo to whip in early deliveries. Injury news • Australia: Ajdin Hrustic (ankle) and Riley McGree (knee) remain sidelined; Jordan Bos returns after a three-month calf lay-off and could appear off the bench. • Japan: Ao Tanaka failed a late fitness test (hamstring); Takefusa Kubo is rested after Real Sociedad’s extended La Liga season. Stat to know The Socceroos have scored 44 % of their goals from set pieces in this qualifying cycle, the highest ratio in the AFC section; Japan have conceded just once from dead-ball situations. Weather and pitch report Clear skies, 16 °C at kick-off, negligible wind. Optus Stadium’s hybrid turf was relaid in April and earned a “Category A” pass from FIFA inspectors on Monday. Quote corner Graham Arnold: “We owe the fans a night to remember; there’s no better place than Perth to punch our ticket to North America.” Hajime Moriyasu: “Australia’s physicality is renowned, but we have the technique and mentality to rise above it.” Prediction Expect a cagey opening, but the pace of Kaoru Mitoma and Ritsu Doan could unlock tired legs late. Australia 1-1 Japan – a result that might suit both if Saudi Arabia stumble. SEO takeaway Searches for “Australia vs Japan live stream,” “Socceroos kick-off time,” “World Cup qualifier Optus Stadium,” and “how to watch Japan vs Australia” are spiking worldwide. Bookmark this page for real-time score updates, post-match reaction, highlights and full player ratings once the final whistle blows.