FIFA World Cup 2026 — Japan will approach the match against Brazil ‘as if it were a final’

Japan will give “everything we have” and declared it has what it takes to beat Brazil in the last 32 of the World Cup in Houston on Monday.

Hajime Moriyasu’s side reached the knockout round with a 1-1 draw against Sweden at the home of the Dallas Cowboys.

It finished second behind Group F winners Netherlands after one win and two draws.

Now the real competition begins as it faces a Brazilian team featuring Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior and coached by acclaimed Italian Carlo Ancelotti.

«There is no bigger stage,» said defender Yukinari Sugawara after Thursday’s nervous stalemate with Sweden.

«We have to give 120 percent against Brazil, and to do that we have to be together as a team and country and prepare with everything we have.»

READ ALSO: Messi’s half-time call looms as Scaloni eyes Argentina’s knockouts

Brazil, who have won the World Cup a record five times, will be favorites to reach the last 16 in North America.

But Japan are considered dark horses to go far in the tournament, beating Brazil 3-2 at home in a friendly in October.

Moriyasu warned his men that the Brazilians will harbor a sense of revenge.

“Maybe that match will make them even more motivated,” Moriyasu said.

Veteran defender Shogo Taniguchi said it was all or nothing now.

«From now on, if we lose, it’s all over. We have to step up a gear for the next match,» he said.

Japan took the lead in the second half through Daizen Maeda, after which Anthony Elanga quickly leveled for Sweden with a shot that goalkeeper Zion Suzuki might have done better.

Japan held on at the end, but Suzuki said it can beat anyone on the day, having also beaten England at Wembley in the run-up to the World Cup.

«We know they are a strong team, but if we do things right we can definitely win,» he said of the Brazilians.

“I want to approach this match as if it were the final.”

Published on June 26, 2026