Coluna do Fla
·28. Juni 2026
World Cup: Ancelotti keeps 2 Flamengo players in Brazil XI v Japan

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Yahoo sportsColuna do Fla
·28. Juni 2026

Brazil’s national team returns to the field this Monday (29) to face Japan in the Round of 32 of the World Cup. With that, coach Carlo Ancelotti wrapped up Brazil’s preparations with two Flamengo players in the likely starting lineup: Danilo and Lucas Paquetá.
Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães and Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Lucas Paquetá; Rayan, Matheus Cunha and Vini Jr.
Brazil finished preparations to face Japan this Sunday (28), holding the final training session before the match. Therefore, Danilo, who has secured the starting spot at right back, and Lucas Paquetá, one of Brazil’s key players at the World Cup, are expected to remain in the ‘Seleção’ starting team.
“Brazil’s likely lineup against Japan shows a balanced team, with defensive security, experience in midfield, and speed in attack. One of the positive points is Lucas Paquetá, who has been playing very well alongside Vini Jr and could be an important piece in creating chances,” he began.
“Another standout is Danilo, who has earned trust at right back and gives more solidity to the defensive sector. Overall, I see a strong, competitive lineup capable of imposing its rhythm against an organized and dangerous Japanese side,” concluded Davi Esteves, journalist at Coluna do Fla.
Besides Danilo and Paquetá, two other Flamengo players are available to the Brazil national team. Alex Sandro is competing with Douglas Santos for a spot at left back, while Léo Pereira hopes to get his first minutes wearing Brazil’s shirt at the World Cup.
Yes! Brazil will still be without Raphinha against Japan. The number 11, in fact, did not travel to Houston, Texas, and will remain in New Jersey undergoing intensive treatment for an injury to the back of his right thigh.
The match between Brazil and Japan takes place this Monday (29), in the Round of 32 of the World Cup. Therefore, the ball rolls at 2 p.m. (Brasília time), at NGR Stadium in Houston.
As tradition dictates, Coluna do Fla will bring all the details of the match between Brazil and Japan through the website, YouTube and on social media. However, Globo (free-to-air TV), SBT (free-to-air TV), SporTV (pay TV channel), and CazéTV (YouTube) will broadcast the match.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.







































