Follow updates as Brazil face Japan in the last 32, as we bring you the build-up, analysis and text commentary.
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The game will kick off at noon Houston time, something Brazil have not experienced yet in the competition. But Ancelotti is unfazed.
“I don’t think there will be a lot to change, this is always the time of day that we train. At the end of the day we are going to play a football match.
“We need to remain focussed. We are going to play against a very tough opponent, very well organised and we need to be clear what we want to do on the pitch.
“The players will sleep very well. Much better than the head coach, I can tell you.”
The experienced Italian said as far as he is concerned, there is no clear favourite to win the World Cup.
“It might be that some teams did better than others in the group stage, but I don’t think a clear favourite has come up yet. This should be a very hard-fought and balanced tournament,” he said.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti is hopeful he will have Neymar available for more minutes in Monday’s World Cup round of 32 fixture against Japan in Houston – and believes his Brazil side are ready for anything in what will be a tough knockout fixture.
Neymar has been working his way back to fitness from a calf injury and managed a little over 15 minutes in the 3-0 victory over Scotland last time out.
“In the last week his progress has been significant,” Ancelotti told reporters on Sunday.
“Unfortunately he could not play longer than 15 minutes before, but he is now doing well enough to play more.”
Right winger Takefusa Kubo is out with a sprained knee.
Predicted starting XI:
(3-4-2-1): Suzuki (goalkeeper); Tomiyasu, Taniguchi, Ito; Doan, Sano, Tanaka, Nakamura; Ito, Kamada; Ueda
Manchester City have appointed Enzo Maresca as manager to replace departing coach Pep Guardiola next season, the Premier League club announced on Monday.
The Italian joins City following a mid-season exit from Chelsea, with the London club saying they had reached an agreement with Manchester City over a compensation package. British media reported the fee to be about £17 million ($22.5m).
Maresca, who has signed a three-year contract, brings familiarity with City’s set-up, having previously coached the club’s youth team. He was also the senior side’s assistant coach under Guardiola during City’s 2018-19 treble-winning season.
“Manchester City is a club I know very well and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me,” Maresca said in a statement.
“The quality of the people who work here is what makes it so special, and I want to thank them for showing faith in my ability.
“I cannot wait to start coaching the players. I want us to win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City.”
Read the full report here.
Raphinha remains sidelined for Brazil due to a hamstring injury.
Neymar, who made his first appearance for Brazil since October 2023 when he came off the bench in the last game, will be available to play more minutes against Japan. The star forward is working his way back to full fitness after dealing with a lingering calf injury.
Predicted starting XI:
(4-3-3): Alisson (goalkeeper); Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Santos; Guimaraes, Casemiro, Paqueta; Rayan, Cunha, Vinicius Jr
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In the first round of 32 game on Sunday, Canada beat South Africa 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time strike by Stephen Eustaquio from distance to reach the FIFA World Cup last 16 for the first time in their history.
Eustaquio received the ball on the edge of the South Africa penalty area and hammered it past diving goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in a thrilling conclusion to the first knockout-round match of the tournament.
South Africa, who had seemed content to play for extra time and a possible penalty shootout, made a few furious but unsuccessful attempts to level before the final whistle as the sun broke through the clouds at Los Angeles Stadium.
Canada will next face either the Netherlands or Morocco on July 4 in Houston for a place in the quarterfinals.
Read the full match report here.
Hello and welcome to Al Jazeera’s live coverage of Brazil vs Japan in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup.
The Brazilians are desperate to win the World Cup again, 24 years after they last lifted the trophy and they eased through the group stage in first place above Morocco, with Vinicius Junior playing a starring role by scoring four goals.
The South Americans may be the favourites to progress to the last 16, but Japan are dangerous opponents and unlikely to make life easy in the first game of the day in Houston.
A last 16 tie with Ivory Coast or Norway awaits the winner.
I’m Patrick Keddie and I’ll bring you the pre-match build-up, analysis and the minute-by-minute live commentary.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 pits South American giants Brazil against Asian heavyweights Japan in Houston.
A rare meeting of the top 10 ranked teams sees Morocco take on the Netherlands in the round of 32 in Monterrey, Mexico.
World Cup round of 32 continues with Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands in action as Canada celebrates history.
Saudi Arabia, the three-time Asian champions, finish bottom of Group H with two points from three games.
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