The second knockout-stage game of the 2026 World Cup is an intriguing on as Brazil take on Japan in Houston. The Selecao have, as ever, been tipped to go deep into the competition, but in the Samurai Blue could face a tournament banana skin. Brazil have recovered from a 1-1 draw with Morocco to hand out 3-0 beatings of Haiti and Scotland, but this is another stern test on par with their opener.
Japan held Netherlands to a 2-2 draw in their opener before thrashing sorry Tunisia 4-0. A 1-1 draw with Sweden was their sternest test yet, and had to thanks goalkeeper Zion Suzuki for making a string of key saves. Japan will line up defensively, but have the ability to hurt Brazil.
When these two teams met in October, Japan ran out 3-2 winners. Brazil were missing some of their key man back in the Autumn, but the result was still rightly lauded. A second-place finish in Group F has sent up a rematch, and this is no foregone conclusion. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis.
Brazil vs Japan latest news
- GOAL! Martinelli wins it at the death!
- GOAL! Casemiro heads home thumping equaliser
- GOAL! Stunning strike from Sano shocks Selecao
20:10 , Alex Young
Brazil will play Ivory Coast or Norway on Sunday in the last-16 stage.
Full-time!
20:03 , Alex Young
101min: That’s it! Brazil are through!
Brazil 2-1 Japan
20:01 , Alex Young
99min: We’re long past the added time now. Any left for Japan?
Brazil 2-1 Japan
19:59 , Alex Young
96min: Martinelli found in too much space in the penalty area, and a quick touch to control and another to poke it past Suzuki in goal to score in off the post.
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLL!
19:58 , Alex Young
96min: Martinelli wins it in the final minute!
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:56 , Alex Young
94min: Fabinho heads well over.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:55 , Alex Young
93min: Endrick wins another corner.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:54 , Alex Young
92min: Fabinho is on in the second of six added minutes.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:53 , Alex Young
91min: Japan launch an attack, but they look exhausted as they throw two quite aimless crosses into the box.
Casemiro is down and needs treatment. Looks like Fabinho will be required.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:51 , Alex Young
90min: Corner is cleared by Brazil are straight back on the attack.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:51 , Alex Young
89min: Vinicius Jr effort deflects behind for a corner. Pressure is mounting.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:48 , Alex Young
86min: Corner comes to nothing, apart from Martinelli gets an elbow to the face.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:47 , Alex Young
84min: Rayan whips in a free kick from the right, which flicks off a Japan head for a corner.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:42 , Alex Young
80min: Japan are starting to tire as we enter into a crucial 10 minutes.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:40 , Alex Young
77min: Martinelli has a pop on the volley from the edge of the area, but gets it all wrong.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:36 , Alex Young
74min: Gabriel whips a great cross in at Rayan, who makes a mess of the header. Gabriel is usually on the end of those.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:33 , Alex Young
71min: The football is back underway and we have a huge 20 minutes or so to play.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:30 , Alex Young
69min: What this game doesn’t need is a hydration break... but here we are.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:27 , Alex Young
66min: Brazil change as Martinelli replaces Cunha.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:26 , Alex Young
64min: Maeda tries to catch Alisson out with a fierce effort from the angle, and the keeper gathers at the second attempt.
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:23 , Alex Young
61min: Half an hour to go, then possibly extra time.
VINI JR DENIED!
19:21 , Alex Young
59min: Oh my word, Vinicius Jr almost scored the goal of the tournament, jinking through the Japan defence and then flicks a shot towards the far corner which Suzuki gets a fingertip on to put it onto the post!
Brazil 1-1 Japan
19:19 , Alex Young
58min: Right then, now what?
GOALLLLLLL!
19:18 , Alex Young
55min: Casemiro thunders home a header a the back post!
That’s why Ancelotti kept him on!
Brazil 0-1 Japan
19:16 , Alex Young
54min: How did Brazil not score!
Casemiro denied on the line by Tomiyasu, Brazil follow up but, somehow, a mix of keeper and two defenders clear the danger.
Not sure Tomiyasu knew anything about that.
SAVE!
19:14 , Alex Young
52min: Guimaraes denied with a great stop from the keeper, but his header needed to be further in the top right-hand corner!
Brazil 0-1 Japan
19:14 , Alex Young
51min: The second half has started much like the first; Brazil on the attack and Japan happy to have it while they wait for a counter.
Not what Brazil need.
Brazil 0-1 Japan
19:10 , Alex Young
48min: Danilo now into the book to stop Maeda driving through the centre.
Brazil 0-1 Japan
19:09 , Alex Young
47min: A whipped cross towards the back post almost falls Maeda, but Gabriel hooks it clear.
Second half
19:07 , Alex Young
46min: Back underway.
19:07 , Alex Young
Paqueta is coming off for Endrick, that looks like an injury-enforced change.
19:06 , Alex Young
Here come the players for the second half.
19:04 , Alex Young
Cunha had three shots on target in that first half, but none came close to testing Suzuki.
Vincius Jr had less impact.
19:02 , Alex Young
Lee Dixon said on ITV commentary that he would be stunned if Casemiro comes out for the second half.
I tend to agree with him. Let’s see.
Half-time!
18:50 , Alex Young
50min: There’s the whistle!
Brazil 0-1 Japan
18:49 , Alex Young
48min: Paqueta is down on the ground again. He’s been in the wars this half.
Brazil 0-1 Japan
18:47 , Alex Young
47min: Four minutes added on.
Brazil 0-1 Japan
18:46 , Alex Young
46min: Kamada into the book for what is called a ‘tactical foul’ in Pep Guardiola’s house.
Brazil 0-1 Japan
18:45 , Alex Young
45min: It’s Japan’s turn to pile on some pressure before the break.
Brazil 0-1 Japan
18:42 , Alex Young
41min: Japan look so composed, so calm. No pressure, yet.
And you feel there are a few more gears they could cycle through too.
Brazil 0-1 Japan
18:39 , Alex Young
39min: Cunha drills at goal from fully 25 yards, as there is simply no space to carve open better chances.
Straight down Suzuki’s throat.
Brazil 0-1 Japan
18:36 , Alex Young
35min: What do Brazil have in response?
They’ve immediately camped on the edge of Japan’s area, but their opponents are so well drilled.
18:34 , Alex Young
Casemiro will have nightmares about that one. Maybe Carragher was right after all.
GOAL!!!!!!!
18:31 , Alex Young
29min: Oh my word, what a goal from Sano!
He intercepts the ball in midfield, races through, leaves Casemiro eating dust and then drills a shot low into the far corner!
Brazil 0-0 Japan
18:28 , Alex Young
26min: Back underway as Ueda heads over from a great cross.
Brazil 0-0 Japan
18:24 , Alex Young
23min: Again, Cunha goes to ground but this time he has a point. It’s a clear foul, and by Sano who is already booked.
Now it’s a hydration break. Yay.
Brazil 0-0 Japan
18:21 , Alex Young
21min: More Brazil possession, but they are not doing a huge amount with it at the moment.
Brazil 0-0 Japan
18:16 , Alex Young
16min: Kamada has a pop, but it’s the bottom of the wall and wins a corner.
Think he mishit that.
Brazil 0-0 Japan
18:15 , Alex Young
15min: Casemiro is now booked, right on the edge of the area, for a woeful attempt at a tackle on Junya Ito.
Japan have a great chance now.
Brazil 0-0 Japan
18:14 , Alex Young
14min: First shot on goal is from Cunha, which looked to be heading wide, but Suzuki gets a palm to it.
The corner is played short and then whipped beyond the far post.
Brazil 0-0 Japan
18:13 , Alex Young
12min: First booking to Sano, for a stamp on Vinicius Jr’s trailing foot.
Brazil 0-0 Japan
18:11 , Alex Young
10min: Panic in the Japan penalty area as first Paqueta’s shot is smothered and then Guimaraes’s shot hits Paqueta on the bonce. That knocks the former West Ham midfielder onto the deck, but he will be fine.
Brazil 0-0 Japan
18:07 , Alex Young
7min: Japan not giving Brazil a second on the ball.
Brazil 0-0 Japan
18:05 , Alex Young
4min: Cunha throws himself to the ground, waits for the foul, which he doesn’t get, and then punches the turf is frustration.
Correct decision.
Brazil 0-0 Japan
18:03 , Alex Young
3min: Brazil win a corner as Guimaraes’ shot is deflected wide.
He takes the corner, which is cleared by the first man.
Brazil 0-0 Japan
18:02 , Alex Young
2min: Paqueta is already holding his right hamstring after a tussle with Tomiyasu. One to keep an eye on.
Kick-off
18:01 , Alex Young
1min: Here we go!
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This has the potential to be one of the best games of the tournament so far. Let’s see if it lives up to the hype.
17:58 , Alex Young
The Japan anthem is equally impressive.
And now we’re just moments away.
17:54 , Alex Young
It’s a party atmosphere in Houston as the top-tier Brazil national anthem is played.
17:52 , Alex Young
No time for mind games now. Here come the teams.
17:51 , Alex Young
Ancelotti was not interested in talking about other teams at his press conference yesterday.
"I won't repeat what others say. We're focused on the match, on the opponent's qualities, on preparing well to avoid problems," Ancelotti said.
"That's what match preparation is about. We're not doing what they call in England 'mind games.' How do you say it in Portuguese? Mind games. We're not going there."
17:37 , Alex Young
The last time these two teams met, Japan scored three times in 19 minutes to beat Brazil for the first time.
Same again today? Vinicius Jr and Gabriel will have something to say about that.
17:28 , Alex Young
Kick-off is fast approaching in Houston.
Latest odds
17:12 , Alex Young
We have tipped Japan to win, but the bookies are backing Brazil.
- Brazil – 8/11
- Draw – 5/2
- Japan – 15/4
(Odds provided by BOYLE Sports, subject to change.)
17:08 , Alex Young
Brazil are unchanged from their win over Scotland, with Raphinha still sidelined.
Japan make three changes from their draw with Sweden, as Tomiyasu, Taniguchi and Sano come in.
Confirmed XIs in full
16:50 , Alex Young
Brazil XI: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel; Douglas Santos; Casemiro, B. Guimarães, Paquetá; Rayan, Cunha, Vinicius
Japan XI: Suzuki; Tomiyasu, Taniguchi, Itō; Dōan, Sano, Kamada, Nakamura; Maeda, Itō; Ueda
Japan XI
16:42 , Alex Young
...and Samurai Blue!
🔹𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗜 𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘🔹
— サッカー日本代表 🇯🇵 (@jfa_samuraiblue) June 29, 2026
📝LINE-UP📝
🏆FIFAワールドカップ2026™
🆚ブラジル代表🇧🇷
1 鈴木彩艶(GK)
3 谷口彰悟
10 堂安律(C)
11 前田大然
13 中村敬斗
14 伊東純也
15 鎌田大地
18 上田綺世
21 伊藤洋輝
22 冨安健洋
24 佐野海舟
𝐒𝐔𝐁🔄
12 大迫敬介(GK)
23 早川友基(GK)
2 菅原由勢
4… pic.twitter.com/eCk8MYfOXF
Brazil XI
16:40 , Alex Young
Here’s how Brazil look!
BRASIL DEFINIDO! 🇧🇷
— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) June 29, 2026
Confira os 11 nomes escalados pelo Mister para enfrentar o Japão nesta segunda-feira (29), às 14h (Brasília), pela segunda fase da Copa do Mundo FIFA 2026.
📺 TV Globo / GE TV / SPORTV / Cazé TV / SBT / NSports
🏟️ Estádio de Houston#BateNoPeito
ISSO É… pic.twitter.com/xgek5ORDKK
16:21 , Alex Young
The atmosphere is certainly building.
Score prediction
16:04 , Alex Young
Brazil’s squad is not good enough to win the World Cup, but on paper should be able to get past the likes of Japan, especially with Vinicius Jr and Matheus Cunha in the form they’re in.
However, Moriyasu’s side are no pushovers and I’m backing them to make the last 16 and claim a shock maiden World Cup knockout win.
They are a more energetic and fast-paced team than the Selecao, who were outrun by Morocco in their opener.
Japan to win, 3-1.
Japan team news
15:55 , Alex Young
Japan saw captain Wataru Endo ruled out ahead of the tournament as the Liverpool midfielder announced his shock international retirement, with Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma not picked due to injury.
Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo should be available following a knee injury. Despite centre-back Ko Itakura’s early withdrawal against Sweden, he should also play.
Celtic forward Daizen Maeda scored against Sweden and will look to do so again here.
Japan squad: Tomoki Hayakawa, Keisuke Osako, Zion Suzuki, Yuto Nagatomo, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hiroki Ito, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junosuke Suzuki, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Koki Ogawa, Daizen Maeda, Ritsu Doan, Ao Tanaka, Kaishu Sano, Takefusa Kubo, Ayase Ueda, Keito Nakamura, Ito Suzuki, Kento Shiode, Keisuke Goto
Brazil team news
15:48 , Alex Young
Brazil are still missing Raphinha after a hamstring injury ruled him out of the Scotland game. He is working hard to return for the last 16, should his side make it that far.
Bournemouth winger Rayan replaced him in the starting XI in the only change Ancelotti made for that match and looked sharp.
The rest of the team appears settled, with Brazil’s lack of quality depth compared with their classic squads of the past meaning the Italian is unlikely to make changes again.
Casemiro, 34, is the anchor of Brazil’s midfield, but may be overrun against the more energetic Japan.
Brazil squad: Alisson Becker, Ederson, Weverton, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gleison Bremer, Leo Pereira, Roger Ibanez, Danilo, Alex Sandro, Douglas Santos, Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Ederson, Fabinho, Danilo, Lucas Paqueta, Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Luiz Henrique, Gabriel Martinelli, Neymar, Endrick, Rayan, Igor Thiago
Where to watch Brazil vs Japan for FREE
15:41 , Alex Young
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live and free-to-air on ITV1, with coverage starting at 5.15pm BST.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via ITVX app or ITV website.
Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel, along with the ITVX app and BBC iPlayer.
Brazil vs Japan LIVE
15:38 , Alex Young
Good afternoon and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the World Cup 2026 last-32 clash between Brazil and Japan.
Kick-off is at 6pm BST. Stick with us.
