Brazil unchanged, Neymar to start on bench, Japan opt for five-man defence

Brazil's Roger Ibanez, Neymar Jr. and Endrick walk out to warm up before the match at Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas, US on 29 June, 2026.Reuters

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti named an unchanged side for Monday's World Cup round-of-32 match against Japan, keeping faith with the team who beat Scotland 3-0 in their final Group C game.

Japan made four changes as they try to beat the five-time champions at a World Cup for the first time.

Forward Rayan, 19, makes his second start for Brazil in place of the injured Raphinha alongside Matheus Cunha and Vinicius Jr. Neymar to start on the bench again as he continues recovery from calf injury.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu makes four changes to his team that drew 1-1 against Sweden in their final Group F game.

Japan's Kou Itakura walks out with teammates to warm up before the match at Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas, US on 29 June, 2026.
Reuters

Japan's Yukinari Sugawara, Ko Itakura, Ayumu Seko and Ao Tanaka are dropped as they play a five-man defence, with Shogo Taniguchi, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Junya Ito and Kaishu Sano in the starting side.

Takefusa Kubo on the bench as he nurses ankle injury.

Lineups:

Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta; Matheus Cunha, Rayan, Vinicius Jr.

Japan: Zion Suzuki; Hiroki Ito, Shogo Taniguchi, Takehiro Tomiyasu; Ritsu Doan, Daizen Maeda, Keito Nakamura, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Kaishu Sano; Ayase Ueda.

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