Japan vs Ecuador Live Stream: Kick-Off Time, Lineups & Key Stats for Today’s International Friendly

Japan and Ecuador clash this Thursday, 1 October 2026, in a high-profile international friendly that doubles as the Kirin Cup semifinal at Yokohama International Stadium. The Samurai Blue arrive in red-hot form after sweeping September’s qualifiers, while La Tri look to fine-tune their 2028 CONMEBOL campaign. Kick-off, TV & streaming • Kick-off: 19:10 JST / 11:10 UTC / 07:10 ET • Japan: TV Asahi, DAZN • Ecuador: El Canal del Fútbol, Star+ • Global streaming: FIFA+ (select territories) Team news Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu has recalled Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma after injury, but captain Wataru Endo is rested. Zion Suzuki is tipped to keep the gloves behind a back four of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hiroki Itō, Ko Itakura and Yuta Nakayama. In midfield, Ao Tanaka partners Hidemasa Morita, with Ritsu Dōan and Mitoma flanking Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo; Ayase Ueda leads the line. Ecuador coach Félix Sánchez is without Gonzalo Plata (hamstring) yet names a near-full-strength XI: Hernán Galíndez; Angelo Preciado, Willian Pacho, Jackson Porozo, Pervis Estupiñán; Alan Franco, Moisés Caicedo; Kendry Páez, Jeremy Sarmiento, Alan Minda; Kevin Rodríguez up front. Form guide • Japan: WWWWW – 15 goals scored, 2 conceded in last five matches • Ecuador: WDLWW – notable 2-0 win over Uruguay in September What’s at stake A victory sends the winner to the Kirin Cup final on 5 October in Tokyo, but more importantly both managers view this window as dress rehearsal for the expanded 2027 Confederations Cup. Japan look to extend a 12-match unbeaten run on home soil; Ecuador chase their first win over Asian opposition since 2014. Head-to-head The nations have met twice: a 0-0 draw at the 2019 Copa América and Japan’s 1-0 win in Düsseldorf (Sept 2022). Expect a tight affair—only one of those meetings produced more than two goals. Prediction Japan’s fluid front four and home advantage give them the edge, yet Ecuador’s high press could disrupt build-up play. Forecast: Japan 2-1 Ecuador; Kubo and Mitoma on the scoresheet, Caicedo with a long-range reply. Keywords to watch Japan vs Ecuador, Japan Ecuador friendly live stream, Kirin Cup 2026, Yokohama match, Samurai Blue lineup, La Tri lineup, how to watch Japan vs Ecuador, Japan Ecuador kickoff time, Japan vs Ecuador prediction. Fans in Kanagawa can still grab limited tickets via the JFA portal, with prices starting at ¥3,500.