2026 World Cup: Brazil vs. Japan official line-ups, Ancelotti takes on Suzuki | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti chooses Vinicius Jr plus several former Serie A players including Alisson, Danilo, Marquinhos and Lucas Paqueta as Brazil face Zion Suzuki’s Japan in the World Cup Round of 32.

It kicks off in Houston at 18.00 UK time (19.00 CEST).

The winners of this fixture will go on to face either Norway or the Ivory Coast in the Round of 16 on July 5.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JUNE 24: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil, speaks with Neymar Jr #10 as he prepares to be substituted in during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Scotland and Brazil at Miami Stadium on June 24, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Italian coach Ancelotti is shouldering a lot of expectation going into his first major tournament as an international boss, at the helm of the nation that has won the World Cup more than any other.

So far, they have largely coasted, following the 1-1 draw against Morocco with 3-0 victories over Haiti and Scotland.

Raphinha has been ruled out by injury, but Brazil stick with Vinicius and Rayan supporting striker Cunha.

There are numerous former Serie A players involved, including ex-Juventus defender Danilo, former Roma men Alisson Becker and Marquinhos, plus one-time Milan midfielder Lucas Paqueta.

Current Atalanta midfielder Ederson is on the bench, but Roma winger Wesley Franca was forced to withdraw due to injury.

TOKYO, JAPAN – MAY 31: Zion Suzuki of Japan applauds fans after the international friendly match between Japan and Iceland at MUFG Stadium on May 31, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images)

Japan got through their group unbeaten after crushing Tunisia 4-0, around a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands and 1-1 against Sweden.

Ko Itakura sustained an injury in the last match.

Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki is impressing in the World Cup so far and earned some strong transfer interest as a result.

Ex-Lazio midfielder Daichi Kamada and former Bologna man Takehiro Tomiyasu are also in the squad, with veteran Inter left-back Yuto Nagatomo.

The referee today is Italian Maurizio Mariani, with his assistant referees also representing Calcio.

Brazil vs. Japan line-ups

Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhanes, Douglas Santos; Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro; Rayan, Paqueta, Vinicius Jr; Cunha

Japan: Suzuki; H Ito, Tomiyasu, Taniguchi; Doan, Sano, J Ito, Nakamura; Kamada, Maeda; Ueda