Japan grows more mature

Japan enters the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 clash against football giants Brazil with a determined mindset, seeking to replicate their recent success against the South American powerhouse. The Samurai Blue are buoyed by a historic 3-2 friendly victory over Brazil in Tokyo last October, their first-ever win against the five-time world champions. This confidence fuels their belief that they can challenge the best teams in the world.

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We have already proven to Brazil that we are not an easy team to beat. That shows the great development of Japanese football.

Japan's coach, Hajime Moriyasu, stressed that the previous win against Brazil is a testament to the significant progress of Japanese football. "We have already proven to Brazil that we are not an easy team to beat. That shows the great development of Japanese football," Moriyasu stated. While acknowledging Brazil's status as one of the world's top teams and expressing deep respect, he added, "Anything can happen in the match, and we also have a chance to win."

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Brazil is one of the best teams in the world, and we respect them very much. Anything can happen in the match, and we also have a chance to win.

The Japanese team advanced to the knockout stage as the runners-up of Group F, accumulating five points from a win against Tunisia and draws against the Netherlands and Sweden. Despite not topping their group, their tactical discipline and fighting spirit have made them a formidable opponent in the tournament. Moriyasu highlighted the team's focus on securing passage to the next round, noting that even a single point was sufficient in their final group match.

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Japan is a very organized, fast, and disciplined team. They have shown their true capabilities on the international stage.

Meanwhile, Brazil, considered tournament favorites, topped Group E with an impressive record. Coach Carlo Ancelotti, however, is wary of Japan's capabilities, especially after their previous encounter. "Japan is a very organized, fast, and disciplined team. They have shown their true capabilities on the international stage," Ancelotti commented. He emphasized that Brazil respects their opponent but remains focused on delivering their best performance to advance.

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We respect them, but our focus is on showcasing our best game and ensuring Brazil advances to the next round.