Brazil - Japan: score, highlights and statistics

Brazil take on Japan in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday, 29 June at 18:00 BST (17:00 UTC) at NRG Stadium in Houston. Brazil arrive in imperious form - 4 wins and 1 draw across their last 5 matches, with 15 goals scored and only 4 conceded - while Japan enter the knockout rounds unbeaten in their last 5 games, having secured second place in their group with a draw against Sweden. Adding edge to the contest, Japan shocked Brazil 3-2 just eight months ago in October 2025, their first ever win in the head-to-head rivalry.

Match Info: Brazil vs Japan

Brazil face Japan on 29 June 2026 at 18:00 BST at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Where to Watch Brazil vs Japan?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can follow the match on BBC Radio 5 Live and TalkSport Radio UK for live commentary. Fans in Ireland have the option of watching on television via RTÉ2 or streaming through RTÉ Player, as well as radio coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and TalkSport Radio UK.

In the United States - where the match is played - the game is broadcast live on FOX, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo. Streaming options include Fubo TV, Peacock, and Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, plus radio through SiriusXM FC and Futbol de Primera Radio. In Brazil, domestic audiences can watch on Globo and SBT on free-to-air TV, with streaming available via Globoplay, CazéTV, and Disney+.

In Australia, the match airs on SBS TV and streams via SBS On Demand. Canadian viewers can tune into TSN1 or RDS on TV, or stream via TSN+ and RDS.ca. Japan's domestic audience will be covered by DAZN Japan, while German viewers can watch on MagentaTV. Spain offers the match on DAZN Mundial and Movistar+, and France broadcasts through M6 and beIN Sports 1.

Match between Brazil and Japan - Preview

Brazil enter as one of the tournament favourites after winning Group C, while Japan - unbeaten and showing tactical intelligence throughout the group stage - represent one of the most dangerous second-placed sides in the draw.

The clash between Brazil and Japan pits South American power against Asian discipline. Brazil's offensive numbers across their last 5 matches are striking: 15 goals scored at an average of 3 per game, with a 6-2 demolition of Panama being the standout result. Japan, meanwhile, impressed with a 4-0 win over Tunisia and a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands - results that demonstrated the Blue Samurai are capable of competing with any side in this tournament.

The meeting of these two sides carries an extra layer of intrigue following Japan's 3-2 victory over Brazil in October 2025 - a result that ended a 0-from-8 record in the head-to-head. That win proved Japan can threaten Brazil's backline, and the memory of it is sure to sharpen Brazil's focus heading into Houston. The 2006 World Cup remains their only previous knockout-phase encounter, when Brazil ran out 4-1 winners in the group stage in Germany.

Head-to-Head: Brazil vs Japan

Brazil have dominated this fixture historically, winning 7 of 9 all-time meetings without a single defeat - until Japan ended that streak with a stunning 3-2 win in October 2025, the first and only victory for the Blue Samurai in the full head-to-head record.

The four most recent meetings between these two nations:

• 14 October 2025 - Japan 3:2 Brazil
• 6 June 2022 - Japan 0:1 Brazil
• 10 November 2017 - Japan 1:3 Brazil
• 15 June 2013 - Brazil 3:0 Japan

Brazil - Recent Form

Brazil are in exceptional form heading into the Round of 32, recording 4 wins and 1 draw in their last 5 matches while scoring 15 goals and conceding just 4.

The highlight of their World Cup group stage was a 3-0 win over Scotland on 24 June, which confirmed top spot in Group C. Earlier in the tournament, Brazil swept Haiti aside 3-0 and delivered a commanding 6-2 win over Panama - one of the highest-scoring performances of the entire tournament so far. The only points dropped came in a 1-1 draw with Morocco on 13 June, a match that had little impact on Brazil's qualification.

The attacking depth in this Brazil squad is evident across every line. With 15 goals in 5 matches, Seleção rank among the most prolific sides remaining in the competition, and their run of form extends back to a 2-1 win over Egypt in a pre-tournament warm-up match.

Japan - Recent Form

Japan arrive at the Round of 32 on an unbeaten run of 5 matches - 3 wins and 2 draws - having conceded just 3 goals across that stretch.

The Blue Samurai produced one of the tournament's more impressive displays in their 4-0 win over Tunisia on 21 June, following a hard-fought 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on 14 June - a result that underlined their ability to hold their own against top European opposition. Japan then drew 1-1 with Sweden on 25 June to seal second place and advance to the last 32.

Before the World Cup, Japan defeated England 1-0 on English soil in March 2026 - a landmark result that confirmed the growing status of Japanese football on the world stage. That experience of winning under pressure against elite opposition could prove decisive in Houston.

Facts and Statistics

Brazil and Japan represent contrasting football cultures - South America's most decorated nation against Asia's standard-bearers - and their head-to-head record reflects a long-standing but increasingly competitive rivalry. Japan's October 2025 win over Brazil marked a turning point in their mutual history, proving the gap between these sides has narrowed considerably.

• In 9 all-time meetings, Brazil have won 7, drawn 2, and lost 0 - until Japan's 3-2 win in October 2025, which is Japan's sole victory in the entire series.
• Across all 9 historical meetings, a combined total of 36 goals have been scored - an average of 4 goals per match.
• Their only previous World Cup encounter came at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where Brazil won 4-1 in the group stage.
• Brazil's record win against Japan is 5-1, scored in the 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
• Japan have not lost in their last 5 matches heading into this game; Brazil remain the only team in the 2026 World Cup to score 6 goals in a single group-stage match (6-2 vs Panama).