HOUSTON (FN) — The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage is underway, with Brazil and Japan set to meet Monday in one of the most closely watched Round of 32 fixtures. The match at Houston Stadium highlights a new phase of the expanded tournament, which for the first time features 32 teams advancing beyond the group stage.
Brazil, five-time champions, arrive as favorites after topping Group C with wins over Haiti and Scotland and a draw against Morocco. Star forward Vinícius Júnior has scored in three consecutive matches, while Neymar returned from injury in the final group game, boosting the team’s confidence. Brazil last lifted the trophy in 2002 and remains one of the sport’s most decorated nations.
Japan, meanwhile, finished second in Group F with five points, drawing against the Netherlands and Sweden and defeating Tunisia. Despite reaching the Round of 16 four times in past tournaments, Japan has never won a knockout match. Their landmark 3-2 victory over Brazil in a 2025 friendly, however, has given the team belief that history can be rewritten.
The match carries cultural resonance beyond football. Brazil is home to the world’s largest Japanese diaspora, and Japanese football has long been influenced by Brazilian coaches and players. A Japanese victory would mark a breakthrough for Asian football, underscoring the sport’s growing global balance of power.
Brazil captain Marquinhos said his team is motivated by Japan’s confidence, while Japanese coach Hajime Moriyasu pointed to their 2025 win as proof they can compete with the world’s elite. Fans worldwide view the contest as a clash of tradition and ambition, with Brazil aiming for a sixth title and Japan striving for its first knockout triumph.
The winner will advance to face either Côte d’Ivoire or Norway in the Round of 16 at New York/New Jersey Stadium on July 5, keeping alive hopes of a deep run in the world’s most-watched sporting event.
