Five-time world champions Brazil will take on Japan in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 following the conclusion of the Group F fixtures.

Japan secured its place in the knockout stage as Group F runners-up after earning a 1-1 draw against Sweden in its final group match. The result was enough to send the Samurai Blue through, while the Netherlands finished top of the group to book their own place in the Round of 32.

Brazil had already confirmed its qualification after topping Group C with two wins and one draw from its three group-stage matches. Group C runners-up Morocco will now face Group F winners the Netherlands in another Round of 32 encounter.

The highly anticipated match between Brazil and Japan is scheduled to take place on June 29 at Houston Stadium in the United States.

Although Brazil enters the knockout stage as one of the tournament favorites, Japan will draw confidence from its recent success against the South American giants. In an international friendly played in October 2025, Japan claimed a historic 3-2 victory over Brazil—the nation’s first-ever win against the Seleção after 14 meetings.

The two sides have met only once before at the FIFA World Cup. During the group stage of the 2006 tournament in Germany, Brazil defeated Japan 4-1.

Japan has earned a reputation in recent years for producing strong performances against some of Europe’s and South America’s elite teams, making this Round of 32 showdown one of the most anticipated fixtures of the knockout stage. With Brazil chasing a record-extending sixth World Cup title and Japan aiming to continue its rise on football’s biggest stage, the match promises to be a compelling contest.