Vissel Kobe - Inter Miami: times, how to watch on TV and stream online | Club friendly

An international audience will ultimately be able to watch Inter Miami - and perhaps Lionel Messi - take on Japanese side Vissel Kobe in their fourth preseason game in Asia despite it not being available to stream through Apple TV Season Pass, who have shown the rest of The Herons’ warmup matches.

“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,” read a statement provided to Pro Soccer Wire by MLS.

However, with around 12 hours to go until kick-off, the league revealed Inter Miami would be streaming the game live on their own website, much to the relief of fans in the United States and beyond.

Inter Miami win first preseason game at fifth attempt in Hong Kong

After picking up their first win of the preseason period in Hong Kong on Sunday, Inter Miami complete their Asian tour with a Tokyo friendly against Japanese champions Vissel Kobe.

Playing without injured stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, Miami thrashed a Hong Kong XI 4-1 - with fans inside the stadium voicing their particular displeasure at the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s absence.

Before last weekend’s comfortable victory, the Herons had failed to match the sky-high expectations generated by the January addition of Suárez to a squad already featuring fellow former Barça favourites Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

After beginning their preseason schedule with a goalless draw against El Salvador, Miami suffered consecutive losses to Dallas, Al Hilal and Al Nassr - with the third of those defeats a 6-0 drubbing in Riyadh.

What time does Vissel Kobe vs Inter Miami start?

The game between Vissel Kobe and Inter Miami will be played at Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday 7 February 2024, with kick-off scheduled for 5am ET/2am PT.

How can I watch Vissel Kobe vs Inter Miami?

The game won’t be broadcast internationally via Apple Season Pass because of technical differences with the local promoter, but will be streamed live on InterMiami.com.

Vissel Kobe vs Inter Miami: live with AS USA

You’ll also have the option of following live-text commentary of Vissel Kobe vs Inter Miami right here at AS USA. Will Gittins will be building up to the clash from about an hour ahead of kick-off, before talking you through the action as it happens.

Vissel Kobe vs Inter Miami: prediction

Having ended their four-game preseason winless streak in Hong Kong, Inter Miami now face a higher calibre of opposition when they take on the reigning J1 League champions in the Japanese capital. We reckon the Floridians will score goals once again - but will concede them, too.

Prediction: Vissel Kobe 3-3 Inter Miami.

Messi fitness update: what injury does he have?

Speaking after Sunday’s win, Inter Miami head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino explained that a groin injury had prevented Messi from taking part at Hong Kong Stadium.

“We understand the disappointment of the fans who came to the stadium today,” Martino told reporters. “We made the decision together with the medical staff. There was a major risk that we would aggravate [Messi and Suárez’s] injuries, so that’s why they couldn’t play.

“Leo has swelling in his adductor muscle. He had scans in Saudi Arabia and we’re taking it day by day, but we’re always hopeful that he can make good progress. But we have to remain mindful of the fact that our league season is about to get underway.”