Brazil meet Japan in World Cup last-32 test in Houston
Brazil enter as favourites against Japan, with Vinicius Jr leading the attack and Neymar available for more minutes, Al Jazeera reported.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Brazil face Japan on Monday in a World Cup 2026 round-of-32 match that will test Carlo Ancelotti’s side against one of Asia’s strongest teams, Al Jazeera reported. The match in Houston will decide who advances to play Norway or Ivory Coast in the last 16.
Al Jazeera reported that kickoff at Houston Stadium is set for 12pm local time, or 17:00 GMT. The fixture also gives Brazil a chance to answer Japan’s 3-2 friendly win in Tokyo in October 2025, when Japan came back from two goals down and Ayase Ueda scored the winner.
Brazil’s route to the knockouts
Brazil topped Group C after opening with a 1-1 draw against Morocco, then beating Haiti 3-0 and Scotland 3-0, according to Al Jazeera. The five-time world champions scored seven goals in the group stage, with Vinicius Jr getting four and Matheus Cunha adding three.
Al Jazeera reported that Bruno Guimaraes has supplied three assists, the most for Brazil at the tournament. Neymar, who returned as a substitute against Scotland in his first Brazil appearance since October 2023, is available for additional minutes as he builds fitness after a calf problem.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti described Japan as “one of the best teams” in the world, Al Jazeera reported. Speaking before the match, Ancelotti said Brazil need “a strong mind, a strong heart, a clear mind” and must be ready for the uncertainty of knockout football.
Japan arrive unbeaten
Japan finished second in Group F with five points, Al Jazeera reported. Hajime Moriyasu’s team drew 2-2 with the Netherlands, beat Tunisia 4-0 and then drew 1-1 with Sweden.
Al Jazeera reported that Ueda and Daichi Kamada share Japan’s scoring lead with two goals each. Keito Nakamura, Junya Ito and Daizen Maeda have also scored for Japan at this World Cup.
Moriyasu said Japan’s unity has grown during the tournament, according to Al Jazeera. “All the players will do what they can for the team and contribute,” he said Sunday. “The team is united, and that feeling is getting even stronger now.”
Japan have reached the World Cup round of 16 four times, in 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022, but have not won a knockout match, Al Jazeera reported.
History, odds and team news
Brazil have dominated the all-time series with Japan, with 11 wins, two draws and one defeat, according to Al Jazeera. Their only previous World Cup meeting came in 2006, when Brazil won 4-1.
Opta’s supercomputer gives Brazil a 58.3 percent chance of winning in regular time, Al Jazeera reported. Japan are rated at 18.1 percent, with a 23.6 percent chance that the match goes to extra time and possibly penalties.
Al Jazeera reported that Raphinha remains out for Brazil because of a hamstring injury, while Japan will be without Takefusa Kubo because of a sprained knee.
Al Jazeera listed Brazil’s predicted lineup as Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Santos; Guimaraes, Casemiro, Paqueta; Rayan, Cunha and Vinicius Jr in a 4-3-3. Japan’s projected 3-4-2-1 is Suzuki; Tomiyasu, Taniguchi, Ito; Doan, Sano, Tanaka, Nakamura; Ito, Kamada; Ueda.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.