Brazil and the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) have met twice in just over a year, with each side claiming a victory in contrasting circumstances.

In the KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2025 last October, Brazil led by two goals at half-time, only for Japan to score three times after the break and complete a remarkable 3-2 comeback. It was Japan's first-ever victory over Brazil, coming in the 14th meeting between the two nations since they first faced each other in 1989.

Eight months later, the teams met again in the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026™. In Houston, USA, Japan took a first-half lead through SANO Kaishu, but Brazil fought back after the interval, drawing level before scoring the winner five minutes into added time. The dramatic 2-1 defeat brought Japan's World Cup campaign to an end. Afterwards, head coach MORIYASU Hajime acknowledged that although Japan were closing the gap on the world's best, there was still a difference in quality.

Brazil's hopes of winning a sixth world title were also short-lived. Just six days after beating Japan, they lost 2-1 to Norway in the Round of 16. Erling HAALAND scored both goals as Norway enjoyed around 60 per cent of possession, leaving Brazil chasing the game for long periods.

Brazil have now gone six consecutive World Cups without lifting the trophy since their record fifth triumph at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™. Their best finish in that time was fourth place in 2014, when they were playing on home soil.

The man tasked with bringing Brazil back to the top of world football is Carlo ANCELOTTI, who took charge in May 2025. The Italian has won league titles in all five of Europe's major domestic leagues, as well as the UEFA Champions League with AC Milan (Italy) and Real Madrid (Spain).

Ancelotti remained in charge after the World Cup and has begun building towards 2030. Brazil played matches in Australia and India in September and October as they began their preparations for another attempt to reclaim the world title.

One of Ancelotti's main priorities is to identify the players who can lead Brazil into the next World Cup. On 29 October, he named a 26-man squad for the upcoming tour of Singapore, combining established stars such as Vinicius JUNIOR (Real Madrid/Spain) and RAPHINHA (FC Barcelona/Spain), who impressed at the recent World Cup, with 15 players aged 23 or under.

According to the Brazilian Football Association, the squad's average age has dropped from 29.6 at the World Cup to just 23.6 for this tour. Ancelotti has made it clear that he wants to find the next generation of players, and their performances will be a key focus in the upcoming matches.

Results of Last 5 Matches
(H: Home, A: Away, N: Neutral ground, ○: Win, △: Draw, ●: Loss)

Record Against Japan

12 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss (39 goals scored, 9 conceded)

Results at the FIFA World Cup™

Appearances: 23
Titles: 5

1930　Group stage
1934　First round
1938　Third place
1950　Runners-up
1954　Quarter-finals
1958　Winners
1962　Winners
1966　Group stage
1970　Winners
1974　Fourth place
1978　Third place
1982　Group stage (Second round)
1986　Quarter-finals
1990　Round of 16
1994　Winners
1998　Runners-up
2002　Winners
2006　Quarter-finals
2010　Quarter-finals
2014　Fourth place
2018　Quarter-finals
2022　Quarter-finals
2026　Round of 16

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