2022 FIFA World Cup: How to watch Japan vs Croatia in the US and 160+ other countries

Topics: TV Schedules, TV Listings, FIFA World Cup, Japan, Croatia

After extraordinarily progressing to the knockout stage, Japan will begin their campaign with a meeting with last edition's finalists.

Japan will be poised to deliver another upset when they take up against Croatia in the Round of 16 at the Al-Janoub Stadium on Monday. The Samurai Blue sensationally defied all odds to finish first in a group that had Spain and Germany while the opponents they face finished behind Group F winners Morocco.

Japan stunned the tournament's established favorites Spain and Germany after being placed in the supposedly "group of death" along with them. The Asians breezed through the group in remarkable fashion, and eventually took first place after defeating both countries along the way. Interestingly, they stuttered against Costa Rica in the run-in, suffering an agonising 1-0 defeat to the CONCACAF side before defeating Spain at the death in an extraordinary game inside the Khalifa International Stadium.

Having secured a place in the last 16 for the third straight tournament, Hajime Moriyasu's men will be brimming in confidence ahead of Monday's game. However, they will be weary of the threat they face in Croatia who are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 FIFA World Cup matches.

The Checkered Ones endured a tough test to secure their Round of 16 berth, fighting right till the end to earn the right to continue in the competition. They began the World Cup with a 0-0 draw with Morocco before hitting Canada for four in the second game. Against Belgium in the final group game, the 2018 runners-up put up a good fight to secure a point to aid their progression. In what was a make or break encounter for the Red Devils, they were largely inefficient and unlucky in front of goal, and were eventually elimiinated with the stalemates aiding Croatia's charge to finish in second position.

On Monday, the Checkered Ones will aim to close in on another final appearance when they take on Japan. So far, they have drawn five of their past six tournament knockout games, including three 1-1 draws in their journey to the final at Russia 2018. In hindsight, they will be counting on the experience of the team's core to get around another hurdle.

Japan vs Croatia: Head to head record and key stats

Japan will face Croatia for the third time at the World Cup. The latter lost the first meetings by a 1-0 score in 1998 while a goalless draw was played out in 2006.
Japan are the only Asian country Croatia has faced at any World Cup.
Croatia are unbeaten in 9 of their last 10 FIFA World Cup matches.
Croatia have drawn five of their past six tournament knockout games, including three 1-1 draws at Russia 2018.
Japan has now advanced to the round of 16 in four World Cups, including each of the last two competitions. They have never progressed beyond this stage.

Japan vs Croatia team news

After receiving his second yellow card of the World Cup in the victory over Spain, Ko Itakura will be suspended from the match in the Round of 16. Wataru Endo overcame a health issue to play as a substitute in that match, and right-back Hiroki Sakai has since returned to training, but Takefusa Kubo is once again a question because of muscular soreness.

For Croatia, Borna Sosa of Stuttgart is battling a fever and remains a doubt for the clash with Japan. Additionally, fellow defender Josip Stanisic is expected to miss the game due to a muscular issue.