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Who: Brazil vs Japan
Content: 2026 FIFA World Cup – Round 32
Location: Houston Stadium, Houston, USA
Date and time: Monday, June 29th, 12pm (17:00 GMT)
How to follow: All content will be broadcast on Al Jazeera Sports from 14:00 GMT, ahead of a live text commentary stream.
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Carlo Ancelotti faces his first big test as Brazil manager when the record five-time world champions face Japan, arguably Asia’s strongest team in the tournament, in the round of 32.
Monday’s meeting in Houston offers Brazil a chance to avenge their loss to Japan in a friendly late last year, as the South American giants ensure they achieve their goal of moving up in North America.
The odds are heavily in Brazil’s favor, but it would be foolish to ignore Japan after their impressive win through a tricky group.
There is also mutual respect and friendship between the two countries, given Brazil’s overwhelming influence on Japanese professional soccer.
Al Jazeera will tell you everything about the second match of the Round of 32.
How did Brazil make it to the last 32?
The five-time world champions started the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Morocco, then defeated Haiti 3-0. They defeated Scotland 3-0 in their final group match, finishing first in Group C and advancing to the Round of 32.
Of the seven goals Brazil scored in three games, Real Madrid star forward Vinicius Junior scored four, while Matheus Cunha scored three. Bruno Guimarães recorded the most assists (3).
Ancelotti in a relaxed mood ahead of the match against Japan
After a modest performance in the first match, Brazil appear to have improved heading into the tournament, showing glimpses of their all-round potential with some of the Selecao’s stars finding their rhythm.
Manager Ancelotti knows that Japan will never give up and describes the record four-time Asian champions as “one of the best teams” in the world.
At Sunday’s pre-match press conference, the Italian looked relaxed and didn’t seem under any pressure, even though Brazil were the clear favorites to advance to the knockout stages.
“We need many things: strong hearts, strong minds, clear minds,” he told the media. “I think we need to be prepared for anything that might happen in a knockout match, and a lot of things can happen in a knockout match.
“I think the team is ready, they are motivated and confident,” added Ancelotti, who will lead Brazil to a record-extending sixth world title.
How did Japan make it to the top 32?
Japan opened the tournament by holding the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw, and defeated Tunisia 4-0 in the second match. They ended the first round with a 1-1 draw against Sweden, finishing with five points and securing second place in Group F.
Ayyo Ueda and Daichi Kamata are tied for Japan’s top scorers with two strikes each, while Keito Nakamura, Junya Ito, and Daizen Maeda also have one strike each.
Director Moriyasu says dark horse Japan is “united”
Japan, as expected as the “dark horse” of this tournament, held Europe’s two strongest teams, the Netherlands and Sweden, to draws.
After defeating Germany and Spain on their way to the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup, Japan showed the world that they are capable of pulling off an upset, especially on sports’ biggest stage.
Japan’s coach Hajime Moriyasu said the team’s collective spirit will help them advance to the last 16 once again.
Coach Moriyasu said on Sunday, “All players will do what they can to contribute to the team.” “The team is united and the feeling is even stronger.”
Japan’s best performance in the World Cup has been reaching the last 16 four times in 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022, but they have never won the World Cup finals.
Brazil vs Japan: Master vs Disciple
Japan’s top league, the J.League, which was launched in 1993, draws much of its inspiration from Brazil and employs many players from Brazil.
Zico, the creative linchpin of Brazil’s legendary 1982 World Cup national team, was lured out of retirement by Kashima Antlers, while national team players Bismarck and Eliberton initiated the transfer of Brazilian national team players to Japan.
By the late 1990s, seven members of the 1994 World Cup-winning Brazil squad, including captain Dunga, had played or were playing for Japanese clubs, and in turn became influential in the rapidly developing scene.
Brazil vs Japan prediction
Opta’s supercomputer calculated that Brazil had a 58.3% chance of winning the match in regulation time, while Japan’s chance of victory was rated at 18.1%.
There is a 23.6% chance that extra time or a penalty will be called.
Who will the winner face in the round of 16?
The winner of Brazil vs. Japan will face Norway or Ivory Coast in the round of 16.
Brazil vs Japan: Kickoff time, TV channel
Brazil: CazeTV, TV Globo, GETV, Globoplay, sportv (2pm Brasilia time) Japan: NHKBS1, DAZN, Fuji TV (Tuesday 2am JST) UK: ITVX, ITV1, STV Player, STV (6pm BST) US: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Network, Peacock, (1pm BST) Eastern Daylight Time)
To see the TV listings for your country, visit the FIFA TV listings schedule here.
Brazil vs Japan: Head-to-head
In all of their previous matches, Brazil has lost to Japan only once (2 wins, 1 loss). Brazil won 4-1 in their only World Cup appearance 20 years ago in Germany in 2006.
Importantly, Japan’s only victory against Brazil came in their most recent encounter, in a friendly in October 2025, when Brazil conceded a two-goal lead in Tokyo and Ueda scored the winning goal for the hosts, winning 3-2.
Brazil vs. Japan: Team News
Brazil’s Rafinha remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Japan’s Takefusa Kubo is sidelined with a knee sprain.
This is Neymar’s first appearance on the Brazilian national team since October 2023, when he came on as a substitute in the last game, and will be able to play more minutes against Japan. The star forward is working his way back to full fitness after overcoming a lingering calf injury.
Expected lineup of Brazil national team
(4-3-3): Alisson (goalkeeper); Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Santos. Guimarães, Casemiro, Paqueta. Ryan, Cunha, Vinicius Jr.
Japan’s expected lineup
(3-4-2-1): Suzuki (goalkeeper). Tomiyasu, Taniguchi, Ito. Doan, Sano, Tanaka, Nakamura. Ito, Kamata. Ueda
