Brazil are set to play Japan in the World Cup 2026 last 32 stage, with the match taking place in Houston. The game is scheduled for 6pm BST on Monday, June 29, 2026. This encounter marks Brazil‘s first knockout tie of the summer tournament.
Brazil, considered past masters of the World Cup, will be looking to progress, having previously won the only other World Cup meeting against Japan with a 4-1 victory 20 years ago in Germany. Across 14 total meetings, Brazil holds 11 wins against Japan, with only one defeat. However, that single defeat occurred in their most recent encounter eight months ago, when Japan came back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 in a friendly on home soil.
Japan has demonstrated resilience in the current tournament, remaining unbeaten. They managed to equalise twice after falling behind against the Netherlands in a previous match. Brazil also enters this match unbeaten in the tournament, setting the stage for what could be a closely contested game that may extend beyond 90 minutes.
Team news and line-ups
Brazil‘s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has opted to maintain a consistent lineup following a strong performance. His starting XI features Alisson in goal, with a defensive line of Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, and Douglas Santos. The midfield comprises Guimaraes, Casemiro, and Paqueta, while the attacking trio includes Rayan, Cunha, and Vinicius Jr.
Japan‘s manager, Hajime Moriyasu, has made four changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Sweden. In the back three, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Shogo Toniguchi have been brought in, replacing Ayumu Seko and Ko Itakura. Kaishu Sano takes a spot in the pivot, displacing Ao Tanaka. Additionally, Junya Ito starts at inside-right, with Ritsu Doan shifting to right wing-back at the expense of Yukinari Sugawara.
Japan‘s confirmed lineup includes Zion Suzuki in goal, a defensive line of Tomiyasu, Toniguchi, and Hiroki Ito. The midfield features Doan, Sano, Kamada, and Nakamura. The forward line consists of Junya Ito, Maeda, and Ueda.
Injury concerns and venue details
Brazil has an injury concern with Raphinha, who sustained a hamstring issue against Haiti during the group stage. While he has remained with the squad to recover and aims to return, he is not expected back until the round of 16 at the earliest, should Brazil advance. Raphinha expressed his determination to recover and support his teammates, stating his commitment to honouring the shirt and bringing joy to Brazilian fans.
The match will be held at NRG Stadium in Houston, a covered NFL facility equipped with air conditioning. Despite outside temperatures potentially reaching 33 or 34 degrees, the internal temperature of the stadium is estimated to be around 21-22 degrees, suggesting that heat will not be a significant factor for the players.
This venue has previously hosted five group games in the tournament. Three of these were high-scoring matches: Germany defeated Curacao 7-1, the Netherlands beat Sweden 5-1, and Portugal secured a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan. The other two games were more cautious affairs, with Portugal drawing 1-1 with DR Congo and Cape Verde playing to a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia.
Hajime Moriyasu has managed Japan for eight years, winning 74 out of 107 games during his tenure.
Historical context and expectations
The pairing of Brazil and Japan is considered good matchmaking for the round of 32. Brazil has a rich history in the World Cup, while Japan‘s first tournament appearance was in 1998. Despite Brazil‘s historical dominance in their head-to-head encounters, Japan‘s recent form and resilience suggest they could pose a challenge.
Some observers anticipate a potential surprise if Japan performs strongly against Brazil. However, there is also a prevailing sentiment that Brazil will likely secure a victory, with one prediction suggesting a 3-1 scoreline in their favour. Another prediction, however, suggests a 1-3 outcome for Japan.
The match kicks off at 12 noon in Houston, 1pm EST, and 6pm BST.
Source: theguardian.com