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Brazil face Japan in a friendly as Carlo Ancelotti bids for momentum after a disappointing World Cup 2026. The Selecao broke the hearts of the Samurai Blue and their followers in Houston this summer, dumping out Hajime Moriyasu’s side 2-1 at the last-32 stage.
The result, inspired by Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal, dashed Japan’s hopes after a promising tournament, though Ancelotti’s side fell at the next stage at the hands of Norway and an inspired Erling Haaland, leaving a nation searching for answers.
Now, Ancelotti must quickly build momentum to bring the Brazilian public back onside, having won against India and secured a win and a draw against Australia in the last international break. Arsenal’s Bruno Guimaraes and Gabriel Magalhaes should be involved, while Barcelona’s Raphinha could shake off a knock to join Vinicius Jr in attack.
Meanwhile, this international break is expected to see the end of an era with Moriyasu poised to step down following the game next week against Paraguay. Follow all the build-up and action to this friendly below:
KICK-OFF! Japan 0-0 Brazil
Singapore’s National Stadium is an impressive venue but there are plenty of empty seats visible in the 55,000-capacity arena as we kick-off. A good morning to any Brazil fans who have woken up early to catch the Selecao in action.
Japan v Brazil: Rematch of World Cup last-32 clash
This is the moment Japan are out to overturn: Gabriel Martinelli’s last-gasp winner to complete a 2-1 comeback win for Brazil in Houston.
The anthems are underway and we are almost ready for kick-off in Singapore.
Brazil team news: Gabriel, Guimaraes, Raphinha and Vinicius all start
Raphinha is fit enough to start for Brazil in Singapore, while Arsenal duo Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes are involved from the off as well. Nottingham Forest centre-back Jair Cunha starts, as does Manchester United midfielder Andrey Santos and Chelsea winger Estevao.
Brazil XI: Morisco; Wesley, Jair, Gabriel, Augusto; Andrey Santos, Guimaraes, Andre; Estevao, Raphinha, Vinicius Jr
Subs: Bento, Lucas Perri, Arthur Dias, Douglas Santos, Jonathan, Vanderson, Vitor Reis, Gabriel Bontempo, Joao Gomes, Marlon Gomes, Alisson Santana, Allan, Endrick, Rayan
Japan team news: Suzuki, Kamada, Tanaka all start
Japan’s team news graphic features four Premier League players, Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada, Leeds midfielder Ao Tanaka and Ipswich forward Daizen Maeda. There are some suggestions that Japan will be playing 4-2-3-1 and are switching away from 3-4-3, but let’s see.
Japan XI: Suzuki; Seko, Nakano, Machida; Doan, Ito, Kamada, Nakamura; Tanaka, Maeda, Kubo
Subs: Kokubo (GK), Hayakawa(GK), Sugawara, Itakura, Hatano, Soma, Minamino, Goto, Ito, Suzuki, Ogawa, Shuto, Sano, Suzuki, Sakamoto
Japan v Brazil head-to-head
Japan have only beaten Brazil once in their history. Until the summer’s World Cup, that was their last meeting, too, a 3-2 win over the Selecao at a friendly in Tokyo in September 2025. This will be their 10th meeting and Brazil have won six of the previous nine, including the summer’s 2-1 win in Texas.
Japan defender Sugaware sad at expected Moriyasu departure
Japan defender Yukinari Sugawara is sad to see what is expected to be the end of Hajime Moriyasu’s time as Japan boss.
The veteran coach will likely leave the national team prematurely, following the postponement of the 2027 Asian Cup, with Under-23 coach Go Oiwa stepping up after this international break and games against Brazil and Paraguay.
“It’s always sad,” Sugawara told ESPN. “To see he will leave. I don’t know. We’re not sure.
“I think the association has not decided anything yet so we have to see the situation, but we can guess these two games will be the last games for him.
“We have to think about it and do something special.”
Raphinha encouraged by Brazil future after disappointing World Cup 2026
“My expectations are good. Obviously, we are going through a period of rebuilding with new players, but I see players with a lot of quality and a great desire to give everything they can for the national team shirt,” said Raphinha.
“This is a match of World Cup calibre, as we saw at the last World Cup. It will be a very difficult game because we know the quality of Japan’s national team.”
Carlo Ancelotti sets out Brazil ambition before Japan test
“The World Cup closed a cycle for a generation of players,” Ancelotti told reporters ahead of friendlies against Japan and Singapore.
“We are now building a new generation to be focused and competitive in our next official competitions: the Copa America in 2028 and the World Cup in 2030.
“I think we have a lot of potential. We are looking at young players, including some new players here, and we are very satisfied with what we are seeing.
“We have young players with a lot of quality and talent, so we look to the future with confidence.”
