Five-time champions Brazil take on Japan in the second Round of 32 clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Carlo Ancelotti’s side topped their group, with former Hertha BSC and RB Leipzig forward Matheus Cunha scoring three goals. Both Cunha and ex-Hamburger SV full-back Douglas Santos retain their places in the starting eleven for this first knockout encounter.

For Japan, FC Bayern’s Hiroki Itō, Mainz’s Kaishu Sano, and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ritsu Doan have all been named in the starting line-up. Doan will wear the captain’s armband for the second time in the tournament. Meanwhile, Shuto Machino (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen), Kento Shiogai (VfL Wolfsburg), and Yuito Suzuki (SC Freiburg) begin the match on the bench.

The Round of 32 fixture is set to take place in Houston, with both sides fielding strong line-ups as they aim for a place in the last 16.

Brazil Starting XI: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos ©, Gabriel, Douglas Santos; Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta; Rayan, Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Jr.

Japan Starting XI: Suzuki; Tomiyasu, Taniguchi, H. Itō; J. Ito, Sano, Kamada, Nakamura; Maeda, Doan ©; Ueda.