Marquinhos: 'A new competition begins' for Brazil in World Cup knockout stage

Brazil's defender Marquinhos declared that the team is entering a "new competition" as they prepare to face Japan in the Round of 16 of the World Cup 2026. Speaking at a press conference in Houston, Marquinhos stressed that the elimination phase demands meticulous attention to detail, a lesson learned from a previous friendly defeat against Japan.

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Tomorrow a new competition begins, the group stage is over, now the knockout rounds start.

"Tomorrow's match, we face Japan in the Round of 16, we have analyzed them very carefully. We will try to neutralize their strengths. Tomorrow a new competition begins, the group stage is over, now the knockout rounds start," Marquinhos stated. He recalled a 3-2 loss to Japan last year, describing it as a learning experience that helped change the course of Brazil's sporting project and led to significant team growth.

Marquinhos also pointed to Brazil's improved defensive performance, having kept clean sheets in their recent matches against Haiti and Scotland. He attributed this solidity to coach Ancelotti's tactical adjustments, which have made the team play more compactly. "When you play more compactly, you improve. This is something that will give us positive results. We have defended very well, with solidity, and those factors have improved us as a team," he explained.

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It was a learning experience for us, everything we have been through in recent years has brought us here. We learned something from that match and since then we have grown, we have changed, we have grown as a team.

Expressing deep respect for Japan and acknowledging the increasing competitiveness in international football, Marquinhos warned against complacency. He cited examples of major teams being eliminated by less-fancied opponents in recent World Cups. "I have a lot of respect for Japan and also for our work. I think football is becoming very equal. In recent World Cups, we have seen great teams fall to teams perhaps not considered 'top' teams. All teams, even the humblest, can cause a surprise," he said.

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When you play more compactly, you improve. This is something that will give us positive results. We have defended very well, with solidity, and those factors have improved us as a team.

Marquinhos concluded by emphasizing that Brazil is gaining confidence with each match and is focused on climbing the "mountain" ahead. He credited the coaching staff for the team's improved performance and positive trajectory, despite past fluctuations. "We are gaining confidence, little by little, more and more. We see the mountain, we have to climb the mountain, and tomorrow we have to do well, with all possible humility," he added.

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I think football is becoming very equal. In recent World Cups, we have seen great teams fall to teams perhaps not considered 'top' teams. All teams, even the humblest, can cause a surprise.