Japan tries to upset Brazil at NRG Stadium Monday

Japan vs – Japan’s first-ever friendly win over Brazil is back in the spotlight as the Samurai Blue face their mentor in the World Cup round of 32 on Monday, June 29 at NRG Stadium, with Brazil entering a far more turbulent period than Japan’s momentum from the group sta

When Japan walks onto the pitch Monday, June 29 at NRG Stadium for its round of 32 showdown with Brazil, it won’t be thinking only about what Brazil has done in past World Cups. It will be thinking about how quickly the script can change.

In a friendly game in Tokyo in October, Japan posted its first-ever victory over Brazil. After trailing by two goals at halftime, Japan rallied to win 3-2. Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu still remembers what that night seemed to unlock. “At that point we saw history move,” he said. “We realized that we do have a chance of winning and I think that was shown at the friendly. Tomorrow is going to be very tough for us. but so that we can seize that win. we will be at the match at full force.”.

For Brazil. this rematch comes with the weight of expectation and a clear message from the friendly’s outcome: respect. and then urgency. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti called that October match a reset point for how he viewed the matchup. “I think it was a good experience for us to know that Japan is a really competitive team. We have completely and totally full respect for them and we prepare for the game like a final. because it is a final.”.

The history between the teams adds another layer. The two countries share longstanding cultural and soccer ties. with Brazil home to the world’s largest Japanese population outside of Japan. Several prominent Brazilians have shaped Japan’s game, including Zico, the star of Brazil’s 1982 World Cup team. He was among the first wave of Brazilian players to play professionally in Japan. and later managed the Japanese national team. following fellow Brazilian Falcão.

In World Cup terms, the gap looks even wider on paper. Japan has never gone past the round of 16 at a World Cup. Brazil, by contrast, has won a record five World Cup titles, with the last coming in 2002. Brazil also reached the quarterfinals in the last two editions. They have met once before in the World Cup as well—Brazil won 4-1 in the 2006 group stage.

But the road that brought Brazil and Japan to this Monday clash has unfolded differently.

After Brazil’s elimination from the 2022 World Cup by Croatia in a penalty shootout. the national team cycled through four different head coaches before Ancelotti was hired in May 2025 to “right the ship.” Brazil opened this World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Morocco. then bounced back with wins over Haiti and Scotland to close out the group stage.

Japan, meanwhile, appears to be peaking when it matters. Its roster includes players who compete for top European clubs. such as Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda and Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada. Japan opened its knockout-adjacent form with a 4-0 demolition of Tunisia. It then looked vulnerable at moments. relinquishing early leads against the Netherlands and Sweden—yet earned draws in both games. keeping its tournament hopes intact and gathering momentum into the round of 32.

Brazil defender Marquinhos framed the matchup in personal terms. pointing directly to how Brazil sees Japan’s confidence this time around. “It’s not up to us to disrespect the Japanese team by any measure because they did deliver a great performance in the group stage and they showed in the last few matches that they can play with the big dogs. ” he said. “I think they came to this World Cup with more confidence than us, really. In the last few years we had some turmoil in the Brazilian national team.”.

Moriyasu. for his part. ties the challenge to the legacy of Brazilian influence—then insists Japan has built something distinct in its own right. He said he is grateful for the contributions that Brazilians have made to Japanese soccer. and he also pointed to pride in Japan’s unique soccer identity. He believes Japan can win the World Cup. “Some people would say Japan is a dark horse. We will respect our opponent but we will be playing with that mindset,” Moriyasu said. “The world is looking at us so we hope that many people will be able to see us play well so that we can be even more confident for the future.”.

The tension in this matchup isn’t just that Brazil has been here before. It’s that Japan’s path to this moment has been shaped by belief—tested. reinforced. and carried forward—while Brazil has spent recent years fighting instability as much as it has fought opponents. Monday’s game at NRG Stadium is a chance for Japan to prove the friendly wasn’t a fluke. For Brazil, it’s a chance to show that respect doesn’t mean hesitation—only readiness.

Japan Brazil World Cup round of 32 NRG Stadium June 29 Hajime Moriyasu Carlo Ancelotti Ayase Ueda Daichi Kamada Marquinhos Zico Falcao