Japan’s World Cup qualifying schedule:
The top two from each group qualify for Russia 2018 World Cup, with the two third-placed teams playing off and then meeting the 4th-placed team from CONCACAF for another World Cup place.
Group B matches
Sept.1 v UAE (H)
Sept.6 v Thailand (A)
Oct.6 v Iraq
Oct.11 v Australia (A)
Nov.15 v Saudi Arabia (H)
2017
Mar.23 v UAE (A)
Mar.26 v Thailand (H)
Jun.13 v Iraq (A – neutral venue TBA)
Aug.31 v Australia (H)
Sept.5 v Saudi Arabia (A)