Inter Miami continue their preseason campaign with a clash against Vissel Kobe on February 7.
The MLS side picked up a first win, in their preparations for the incoming 2024 season, as Tata Martino's team secured 4-1 victory over a Hong Kong select XI.
However, they need to improve significantly in the coming weeks, after suffering successive losses in the Saudi Arabia leg of their world tour, up against Al Hilal and Al Nassr.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including kickoff time, broadcast details and team news.
What time does Inter Miami vs Vissel Kobe kick off?
This friendly clash takes place at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan and kicks off on Wednesday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Wed, Feb. 7 | 5:00 a.m. ET |
| Canada | Wed, Feb. 7 | 5:00 a.m. ET |
| UK | Wed, Feb. 7 | 10:00 a.m. GMT |
| Australia | Wed, Feb. 7 | 9:00 p.m. AEDT |
| India | Wed, Feb. 7 | 3:30 p.m. IST |
Inter Miami vs Vissel Kobe live stream, TV channel
This match had originally been scheduled to be shown on Apple TV's MLS Season Pass like the rest of Inter Miami's pre-season matches. However, less than 24 hours out from kickoff the match was removed from their schedule.
MLS provided the following statement to The Athletic regarding the change: "As with all international matches in Inter Miami CF’s preseason tour, production of the host feed of the match is the responsibility of the promoter.
"Unfortunately, for the Vissel Kobe match, the local promoters are unable to provide a world feed for distribution in the timeframe required to meet our technical needs, which directly impacts our ability to produce coverage for MLS Season Pass or the MLS website."
As of now, it's unclear if there will be any broadcast of the match at all. The Sporting News will update this section if a broadcaster is found.
Apple+ has a FREE TRIAL so you can try it before you buy.
Apple TV is the official home of the MLS regular season and playoffs, with every match for every team available to stream around the world with no blackouts. Select games each week are made free to air, while the rest of the fixture list is for subscribers only.
The streaming service, dubbed MLS Season Pass, will be available for all fans to purchase at a set, season-long price, and it is available at a discounted rate for Apple TV+ subscribers.
MLS Season Pass is separate from Apple TV+, meaning those with Apple TV+ would still need an MLS Season Pass subscription to access the complete slate of games, while those without Apple TV+ can still sign up for MLS Season Pass without needing a full Apple TV+ subscription.
Inter Miami vs Vissel Kobe lineups, team news
Tata Martino made a host of changes for the win over the Hong Kong XI with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets named on the bench.
Messi's non-appearance caused controversy, amid rumours of an agreement with match organisers that he would play a role, and Martino will assess an adductor injury for the Argentina captain before kickoff.
Inter Miami (3-5-2, right to left): Callender (GK) — Allen, Aviles, Kryvtsov — Yedlin, Gressel, Busquets, Ruiz, Sunderland — Campana, Messi.
Inter Miami subs (9): TBC
Defending Japanese champions Vissel Kobe are building up to the start of the 2024 J League season later this month and they have not played since early December.
First choice goalkeeper Daiya Maekawa is absent as he heads back for AFC Asian Cup duty with Japan.
Vissel Kobe (4-3-3 right to left): Tsuboi (GK) — Hatsuse, Yamakawa, Thuler, Honda — Sakai, Ogihara, Ide — Muto, Osaka, Patric.
Vissel Kobe subs (9): TBC
Inter Miami vs Vissel Kobe prediction
Martino will be hoping his team have turned a preseason corner ahead of this game against a Vissel Kobe side short of match practice. Messi is set to play at least 45 minutes — if passed fit — and he will be aiming for another preseason goal.
Prediction: Inter Miami 3-1 Vissel Kobe
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