Japan’s reward for ending the World Cup 2026 group stage unbeaten is a tantalising last-32 tie, at Houston's NRG Stadium, with a Brazil team that have rediscovered some of their swagger after back-to-back 3-0 victories.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side will start as marginal favourites, but they will need to be at their very best to overcome a technically proficient, hard-working Samurai Blue.
- Kick-off time: 6:00pm BST / 1:00pm ET / 3:00am AEST (Tue)
- FREE Stream: ITV (UK) / SBS (AUS)
- TV & Streaming: Fox (US)
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After a sluggish start in the 1-1 draw with Morocco, Brazil turned on the style as they swept past Haiti and Scotland. Vinicius Jr has played a starring role in all three games and the Selecao will once again look to the Real Madrid man to fire them to the last 16.
While Brazil’s success is largely built on their individual flair and creativity in attack, Japan’s is very much down to collective endeavour. Comfortable with or without the ball, they are extremely difficult to beat, as Brazil discovered last year when they lost 3-2 to the Samurai Blue, for the first time ever, in Tokyo.
Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Brazil vs Japan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 online, on TV, and from anywhere.
Watch Brazil vs Japan for FREE
Brazil vs Japan will be free-to-stream across multiple regions, including ITV in the UK, RTÉ Player in Ireland, SBS On Demand in Australia, CazéTV on YouTube in Brazil, NOS in the Netherlands, RTBF/VRT in Belgium, SRF/RTS/RSI in Switzerland, and TRT in Turkey.
English commentary will be provided on ITV, RTE Player and SBS On Demand.
‼️ Outside one of these countries? Use Norton VPN to unlock your stream from anywhere in the world — more on that below.
Watch Brazil vs Japan from anywhere
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How to watch Brazil vs Japan in the UK
In the UK, you can stream Brazil vs Japan on ITV1 and ITVX. Coverage starts at 5:15pm BST, followed by kick-off at 6:00pm BST.
How to watch Brazil vs Japan in the US
In the US, you can stream Brazil vs Japan on Fox.
This channel is accessible via Fox's own streaming platform Fox One or via a cord-cutting platform such as YouTube TV, Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.
How to watch Brazil vs Japan in Australia
In Australia, you can watch Brazil vs Japan on the free SBS On Demand.
Brazil vs Japan: World Cup 2026 Preview
It’s hard to know what to make of this Brazil team just yet — Haiti were Group C whipping boys, while Scotland's calamitous errors gifted the South Americans victory. In their only true test against Morocco, Ancelotti's men struggled for large periods and were somewhat fortunate to only be a goal down after the opening exchanges.
Morocco had 12 shots during the first half alone and it was only a moment of individual brilliance from Vinicius Jr that saved Brazil. The talismanic Real Madrid forward has finally stepped up for his country, with four goals and one assist already to his name in North America.
Against a well-drilled Japan, a team that rarely gifts you opportunities, Brazil cannot solely rely on the 25-year-old. They’ll need fellow forwards Matheus Cunha, who has scored A Selecao's other three tournament goals, to be at his best, while Casemiro’s legs in midfield will be severely tested. Raphinha is not expected to have recovered from his hamstring injury, with Bournemouth wonderkid Rayan to again deputise.
Through to the knockout stages for the third successive tournament, Japan have again excelled early doors. This time around, they earned a deserved point against the Netherlands, thrashed Tunisia and then produced a disciplined display in a 1-1 draw with Sweden that guaranteed a runners-up spot.
However, they have traditionally struggled to carry this excellent form through to the knockout stages. Edged out 3-2 by Belgium in 2018 and defeated on penalties by Croatia four years later, they face another tough test.
Manager Hajime Moriyasu masterminded that maiden Samurai Blue victory over Brazil last October, his high-pressing back three perfectly attuned to a squad that prides itself on the collective. Ayase Ueda was the matchwinner that day, and the Feyenoord forward comes into the game in excellent form, with two goals already to his name.
FourFourTwo's prediction
Brazil 3-2 Japan
FourFourTwo predicts Brazil gaining revenge for last year’s defeat, but they will be pushed hard by the Samurai Blue.
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