World Cup 2026: Brazil and Japan Starting Lineups

Brazil and Japan have confirmed their starting lineups for their 2026 World Cup Round of 32 match on June 29 at Houston Stadium.

Henry DONCHE

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On 29 Jun 2026 at 17:33 Updated 29 Jun 2026

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Illustration du match Brésil VS Japon, le 29/06/2026 18:00, stade Houston Stadium

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SUMMARY

Reading Brazil’s lineup
Reading Japan’s lineup
Starting lineups

The marquee Round of 32 clash at the 2026 World Cup will pit Brazil against Japan on June 29 at 18:00 GMT+1 at Houston Stadium. This tie comes in the knockout stage and promises to be tactically fascinating, with two teams clearly shaped by their coaches.

Carlo Ancelotti has opted for an ambitious 4-3-3, featuring an attacking line led by Vinícius Júnior, Matheus Cunha and Rayan, supported by a midfield trio of Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães and Lucas Paquetá. In defense, Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães, flanked by Danilo and Douglas Santos, form a solid block in front of goalkeeper Alisson.

Opposite them, Hajime Moriyasu favors a 3-4-2-1 system for Japan, looking to control midfield with Daichi Kamada, Kaishu Sano, Ritsu Doan and Keito Nakamura. The attack is built around Ayase Ueda as the central striker, supported by wingers Junya Ito and Daizen Maeda. The back three is led by Takehiro Tomiyasu, Shogo Taniguchi and Hiroki Itō, with Zion Suzuki in goal.

The replacement options on both sides also provide interesting depth, notably for Brazil with Neymar, Ederson and Fabinho among the substitutes, while Japan have players such as Takefusa Kubo and Yuto Nagatomo in reserve.

Reading Brazil’s lineup

Brazil rely on a classic 4-3-3 structure, emblematic of their attacking and technical style of play. Goalkeeper Alisson protects the net, behind a back four made up of Danilo on the right, Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães in central defense, and Douglas Santos on the left. This experienced line must both contain Japan’s attacks and start play from the back.

In midfield, Casemiro plays an essential role as the defensive pivot, combined with Bruno Guimarães and Lucas Paquetá to create a balance between ball-winning and forward movement. This trio combines stability and creativity.

Up front, the attacking impact comes from Vinícius Júnior, Matheus Cunha and the breakthrough player Rayan. Vinícius and Cunha bring pace and direct running on the wings, while Rayan completes this dynamic attacking line. The presence of Neymar and Ederson among the substitutes gives Ancelotti options to adjust the game plan during the match.

Reading Japan’s lineup

Japan set up in a 3-4-2-1 system, particularly compact in midfield, with four midfielders covering the full width of the pitch. Daichi Kamada and Kaishu Sano play key roles in ball recovery and distribution, supported by Ritsu Doan and Keito Nakamura for creativity and attacking support.

The back three, led by Takehiro Tomiyasu, Shogo Taniguchi and Hiroki Itō, must provide disciplined coverage and allow the wide players to take part in the attacking game.

In attack, Ayase Ueda as the central striker offers a focal point, assisted by wingers Junya Ito and Daizen Maeda, who bring pace and penetration on the flanks. Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki completes this compact and mobile setup, designed to withstand Brazilian attacks while exploiting space in behind on the counter.

Substitutes such as Takefusa Kubo or Yuto Nagatomo provide technical and tactical options that could change the team’s shape depending on the needs of the match.

Starting lineups

Brazil

Formation4-3-3CoachCarlo Ancelotti

Starters11

1AlissonGoalkeeper
13DaniloDefender
4MarquinhosDefender
3Gabriel MagalhãesDefender
16Douglas SantosDefender
8Bruno GuimarãesMidfielder
5CasemiroMidfielder
20Lucas PaquetáMidfielder
26RayanForward
9Matheus CunhaForward
7Vinícius JúniorForward

Substitutes14

23Ederson
12Weverton
6Alex Sandro
14Bremer
15Léo Pereira
24Roger Ibañez
2Éderson
17Fabinho
21Luiz Henrique
18Danilo Santos
19Endrick
22Gabriel Martinelli
25Igor Thiago
10Neymar

Japan

Formation3-4-2-1CoachHajime Moriyasu

Starters11

1Zion SuzukiGoalkeeper
22Takehiro TomiyasuDefender
3Shogo TaniguchiDefender
21Hiroki ItōDefender
10Ritsu DoanMidfielder
24Kaishu SanoMidfielder
15Daichi KamadaMidfielder
13Keito NakamuraMidfielder
14Junya ItoForward
11Daizen MaedaForward
18Ayase UedaForward

Substitutes15

12Keisuke Osako
23Tomoki Hayakawa
2Yukinari Sugawara
4Ko Itakura
5Yuto Nagatomo
16Tsuyoshi Watanabe
20Ayumu Seko
25Junnosuke Suzuki
7Ao Tanaka
17Yuito Suzuki
8Takefusa Kubo
6Shuto Machino
19Koki Ogawa
26Kento Shiogai
9Keisuke Goto

Brazil

Finished 2-1 NRG Stadium

Japan

29/06/2026 18:00 Round of 32

Fil du match

12'Carton jaune - K. SanoJapon, 12e
14'Carton jaune - CasemiroBrésil, 14e
29'But - K. SanoJapon, 29e
45'Carton jaune - D. KamadaJapon, 45e
46'Remplacement - Lucas Paqueta (remplace Endrick)Brésil, 46e
48'Carton jaune - DaniloBrésil, 48e
56'But - Casemiro (passe Gabriel)Brésil, 56e
66'Remplacement - M. Cunha (remplace G. Martinelli)Brésil, 66e
66'Remplacement - R. Doan (remplace Y. Sugawara)Japon, 66e
66'Remplacement - K. Nakamura (remplace J. Suzuki)Japon, 66e
78'Remplacement - D. Kamada (remplace A. Tanaka)Japon, 78e
78'Remplacement - J. Ito (remplace S. Machino)Japon, 78e
84'Carton jaune - J. SuzukiJapon, 84e
90+2'Remplacement - Casemiro (remplace Fabinho)Brésil, 90+2e
90+5'But - G. Martinelli (passe Bruno Guimaraes)Brésil, 90+5e
90+7'Remplacement - D. Maeda (remplace K. Ogawa)Japon, 90+7e
90+8'Remplacement - Bruno Guimaraes (remplace Danilo Santos)Brésil, 90+8e

Round of 32 schedule

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