Japan XI vs Brazil – Predicted lineup and team news

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·29 juin 2026

Japan XI vs Brazil – Predicted lineup and team news

Japan face Brazil at Houston Stadium on Monday evening in the World Cup last 32, aiming to secure their first knockout-stage victory in World Cup history against the five-time champions.

Hajime Moriyasu’s side finished Group F as runners-up on five points, unbeaten across three matches. They beat Brazil 3–2 in a friendly in Tokyo last October — their first ever victory over the Seleção in 14 attempts. That result, achieved with Brazil fielding a second-string defence, nonetheless signals the Samurai Blue’s capacity to cause problems against the very best opposition on a good day.

Vidéos OneFootball

Japan team news

Takefusa Kubo will not play. The Real Sociedad forward has not trained fully since sustaining a knee injury during the opening match against the Netherlands and remains unavailable. His absence is a significant blow — Kubo is Japan’s most technically gifted attacking individual and would ordinarily start in the front three. Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino were not included in Japan’s final tournament squad, further limiting attacking options.

Ko Itakura is a doubt after coming off before half-time against Sweden with undetermined discomfort. The Ajax centre-back, who has captained the side throughout the tournament, would be sorely felt against Brazil’s attack. Should he not recover, Shōgo Taniguchi is the ready-made replacement — the Gamba Osaka defender started the opening draw with the Netherlands and provides Moriyasu with a proven alternative in the back three.

The most significant tactical development is Daichi Kamada’s return to the front three. Having been used in a deeper midfield role against Sweden, Kamada’s restoration in attack triggers a knock-on reshuffle: Ritsu Dōan drops back to his natural wing-back position, and Yukinari Sugawara drops out of the XI entirely. Kaishu Sano takes the midfield role alongside Ao Tanaka.

Daizen Maeda, who opened the scoring against Sweden, is competing with Junya Ito for a starting berth as one of the two forwards supporting Ayase Ueda. Ueda leads the line after two goals and three total contributions across the group stage. Keito Nakamura continues in the other advanced midfield position. Zion Suzuki starts in goal.