Football tips for 28 Mar 2026: analysis of 3 promising matches, focusing on Japan – today's football schedule, tags: [football tips, match analysis, Japan, international friendly, World Cup preparation]
On 28 March 2026, today's football tips remain focused on international matches, with the highlight being FIFA international friendly games featuring major teams preparing for the 2026 World Cup. The spotlight is on Japan, South Korea, and Belgium. Follow the football analysis and expert opinions on 3 key matches as follows, tags: [international football, FIFA friendly, World Cup preparation, Japan, South Korea, Belgium]
- FIFA international friendly / Kickoff at 21:00, tags: [match time, FIFA friendly]
The "Taeguk Warriors" have secured their 12th World Cup berth, and their 11th consecutive, with an unbeaten run of 16 matches in qualifiers across two rounds (11 wins, 5 draws). Over their last 37 games, they have only lost 3 times (24 wins, 10 draws). Since June 2023, despite a 0-5 friendly loss to Brazil in October, they have won their last 3 matches without conceding. Key players such as Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Kim Min-jae are all present for this match, tags: [South Korea, World Cup qualification, unbeaten streak, key players]
Ivory Coast qualified for their 4th World Cup, returning after absence since 2014, with a 10-match unbeaten qualifying run in Group F (8 wins, 2 draws). However, they recently lost 2-3 to Egypt in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals, ending a 5-game unbeaten streak (4 wins, 1 draw). Their only previous friendly meeting with South Korea was in 2010, with South Korea winning 2-0. Ivory Coast will miss young Leipzig winger Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro due to injury but still have Manchester United's Amad Diallo. The match is expected to end in a draw, tags: [Ivory Coast, World Cup qualification, Africa Cup of Nations, injury, match prediction]
Prediction, tags: [prediction] A draw with goals, tags: [match outcome]
- FIFA international friendly / Kickoff at 00:00, tags: [match time, FIFA friendly]
"The Whisky Boys" secured their 9th World Cup appearance and their first in 28 years by winning Group C, finishing above Denmark in qualifiers with 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss from 6 matches. Their form has improved with 8 wins and 3 losses in the last 12 games, following a previous run of only 1 win in 16 matches. The squad features key players such as Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Billy Gilmour, Andrew Robertson, Che Adams, and Lewis Ferguson, tags: [Scotland, World Cup qualification, recent form, key players]
The "Samurai Blue" secured their 8th consecutive World Cup spot after a perfect second-round qualifying and only one loss in 10 matches in the final qualifying round. They qualified with 3 games remaining. Since a 0-2 loss to the USA in September, Japan has remained unbeaten for 4 matches (3 wins, 1 draw), including a 3-2 win over Brazil. Japan has not lost to Scotland in three meetings (1 win, 2 draws). Although Wataru Endo is injured, players like Kaoru Mitoma, Ayase Ueda, and Daiji Kamada provide hope for victory, tags: [Japan, World Cup qualification, unbeaten run, key players, head-to-head]
Prediction, tags: [prediction] Japan to edge out a narrow win, tags: [match outcome]
- FIFA international friendly / Kickoff at 02:45, tags: [match time, FIFA friendly]
The USA, one of three joint hosts for the 2026 World Cup, have performed well since losing 1-2 to Mexico in the 2025 Gold Cup final and 0-2 to South Korea in a September friendly. They are unbeaten in their last 5 matches (4 wins, 1 draw), including a 2-0 win over Japan and a recent 5-1 rout of Uruguay. However, they have lost their last 6 matches against European teams. Missing injured players Tyler Adams, Haji Wright, and Sergiño Dest, the squad still includes Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Anthony Robinson, Folarin Balogun, and Brenden Aaronson, tags: [USA, World Cup co-host, recent form, injuries, key players]
The "Red Devils of Europe" have qualified for their 15th World Cup with an 8-match unbeaten run in qualifiers, topping Group J with 29 goals scored and only 7 conceded. Coach Rudi Garcia has lost just 1 of 10 matches in charge (6 wins), with the latest defeat a 1-3 loss to Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League playoff on 20 March last year. Belgium has won all 5 recent matches against the USA but will miss Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku, and Leandro Trossard. Still, players like Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, and Youri Tielemans remain. This match might not end in a win for Belgium, tags: [Belgium, World Cup qualification, coach, recent results, injuries, key players]
Prediction, tags: [prediction] USA to draw with Belgium, tags: [match outcome]