The knockouts are here, and the 2026 World Cup opens its Round of 32 with a glamour tie. Five-time champions Brazil, Group C winners and bursting with attacking talent, face a Japan side that finished the group stage unbeaten and, crucially, beat the Seleção 3-2 in a friendly only last October. Win and you march on to the last 16; lose and you fly home. Here is how to watch, when it kicks off near you, and whether Japan can spring a shock in Houston.
Kickoff is 1:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM in the UK on Monday, June 29, at NRG Stadium in Houston. In the US it is on Fox and Telemundo. In Britain it is free on BBC and ITV, with streaming on iPlayer and ITVX. Italian referee Maurizio Mariani takes charge.
Where to Watch Brazil vs Japan
Free to air in the UK and several markets. In the US it is on Fox and Telemundo.
Quick tip: UK viewers get this free on the BBC or ITV (and their apps). Our guide to watching the World Cup in the UK lists every channel. In the US it is on Fox with Telemundo in Spanish, plus Fubo, Sling and YouTube TV. Always use the official broadcaster for the cleanest, safest stream.
Brazil vs Japan TV Channel and Live Stream
USA UK Brazil Japan
Canada
AustraliaWhat Time Is Brazil vs Japan in Your City?
New York (ET)Houston (CT, local)Los Angeles (PT)
Brasilia (BRT)
London (BST)
Madrid / Paris (CEST)
Dubai (GST)
New Delhi (IST)
Tokyo (JST)
Sydney (AEST)
Doha (AST)When Does It Kick Off Where You Are?
Pick your country and we will do the maths.
The Road to the Round of 32
Brazil topped Group C with seven points, scoring seven and conceding once. Japan came through a tough Group F unbeaten in second. See the full World Cup 2026 groups for every final table.
BrazilJapanThe winner advances to the Round of 16 to face the winner of Ivory Coast vs Norway. If the score is level after 90 minutes, the tie goes to extra time and, if needed, penalties.
Brazil’s Class Against Japan’s Belief
Brazil arrive in Houston in ominous form. Carlo Ancelotti’s side eased through Group C, a tense 1-1 draw with Morocco followed by routine 3-0 wins over Haiti and Scotland, with Vinicius Junior the standout, scoring four goals in three games. Bruno Guimaraes pulls the strings in midfield, leading the tournament for assists, and with Matheus Cunha sharp and Neymar fit enough to act as a super-sub, the Seleche carry a frightening attack. Raphinha misses out with a thigh injury, and 19-year-old Rayan keeps his place on the wing.
For all that quality, there is a warning sign Brazil cannot ignore. Japan beat them 3-2 in a friendly in Tokyo last October, the first time the Samurai Blue had ever defeated Brazil. Hajime Moriyasu’s team are superbly organised, came through a demanding Group F unbeaten, and held the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw before thrashing Tunisia 4-0. They are not here to make up the numbers, and the knockout format, where one mistake ends your tournament, suits a disciplined side that defends well and strikes on the break.
Japan do have problems of their own. They are without the injured Takefusa Kubo, captain Ko Itakura is a doubt after limping off against Sweden, and pre-tournament they lost Wataru Endo. But Moriyasu has built a side on collective strength rather than individuals, and the Sano-Morita midfield axis has held firm. Their route to goal is the channel Brazil leave with no natural right-back, with Ritsu Doan the man to attack it in transition.
The key battle is Brazil’s left-sided threat against Japan’s collective discipline. If Vinicius breaks the game open early, Brazil should pull clear. If Japan can frustrate them and stay in the tie, Houston could get nervous. Brazil’s individual quality and strength in depth still make them clear favourites, and the smart call is a Brazil win, though Japan have more than enough to make them sweat, and a single goal could yet take this to extra time.
How They Might Line Up
Brazil are largely settled, with Raphinha injured and Rayan continuing on the wing; Neymar starts on the bench. Japan must cope without the injured Kubo and a doubtful Itakura, with Doan likely back in a wing-back role.
BRAZIL · Ancelotti · 4-2-3-1Alisson · Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Carlos Augusto · Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes · Rayan, Paqueta, Vinicius Jr · Cunha
JAPAN · Moriyasu · 3-4-2-1Suzuki · Tomiyasu, Taniguchi, Hiroki Ito · Doan, Sano, Tanaka, Nakamura · Maeda, Kamada · Ueda
Back Your Scoreline
Brazil to cruise, or Japan to spring a shock like last October? 1XBET are pricing every market, and new players get a welcome bonus up to $130.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.
A Word on NRG Stadium
Home to the NFL’s Houston Texans, NRG Stadium is known as Houston Stadium during the tournament. With a retractable roof and air conditioning to beat the Texas heat, it has hosted two Super Bowls and Copa America games. Capacity is around 72,000. There is more on it at Wikipedia.
Brazil dominate the history, but the most recent meeting matters. In a friendly in October 2025, Japan beat Brazil 3-2, their first ever win over the Seleche. Before that Brazil had won the previous four meetings, including 1-0 in 2022. This is their first competitive World Cup clash since the 2006 group stage, which Brazil won 4-1.
Brazil vs Japan: Quick Answers
What time does Brazil vs Japan kick off?
1pm Eastern in the US, which is 12pm local in Houston and 10am Pacific. In the UK it is 6pm BST, in Brasilia 2pm, and in Tokyo it is 2am the following morning. The date is Monday, June 29, 2026.
What channel is Brazil vs Japan on in the US?
Fox has the English-language broadcast, with Telemundo in Spanish. You can also stream it via Fubo, Peacock and YouTube TV.
Is Brazil vs Japan free to watch in the UK?
Yes. It is on both BBC and ITV, free to air, with streaming via BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
What happens if Brazil vs Japan is a draw?
As a knockout match, if it is level after 90 minutes it goes to 30 minutes of extra time, and then a penalty shootout if still level. The winner reaches the Round of 16; the loser is out.
Who does the winner play next?
The winner of Brazil vs Japan advances to the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of Ivory Coast vs Norway.
Have Brazil and Japan played recently?
Yes. They met in a friendly in October 2025, when Japan won 3-2, their first ever victory over Brazil. Brazil had won the previous four meetings between the sides.
Who are the key players?
For Brazil, Vinicius Junior, who scored four group-stage goals, plus Matheus Cunha and Bruno Guimaraes. For Japan, striker Ayase Ueda and the wing threat of Ritsu Doan, though Takefusa Kubo is injured.
What is the prediction?
We expect a 2-1 Brazil win. Brazil have far more individual quality, but Japan are well organised and beat them only last October, so the favourites cannot afford complacency.
World Cup 2026 Guides
🏆 World Cup 2026 Final: Date, Venue, Time & How to Watch →
📅 World Cup 2026 Full Schedule, Bracket & Fixtures →
🏆 World Cup 2026 Groups, Tables & All 48 Teams →
🇺🇸 How to Watch the World Cup 2026 in the USA →
⚽ Messi vs Ronaldo: Who Has the Better World Cup Record? →
