Brazil vs Japan Round of 32: Date, Time, TV Channel & How to Watch
Brazil vs Japan is the standout Round of 32 tie of World Cup 2026, kicking off on Monday, June 29, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. CT) from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Five-time champions Brazil meet a fearless Japan side that beat them for the first time in history only last year, with a place in the last 16 on the line.
You can watch Brazil vs Japan on FOX in English and Telemundo in Spanish. Here is the kickoff time, where to watch, and the team news that matters.
Brazil vs Japan: Match at a Glance
| Fixture | Brazil vs Japan (Round of 32) |
| Date | Monday, June 29, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 1:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. CT |
| Stadium | NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium), Houston, Texas |
| English TV | FOX |
| Spanish TV | Telemundo |
| Streaming | FOX One, Peacock (Spanish) |
| Coaches | Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil), Hajime Moriyasu (Japan) |
What Time is Brazil vs Japan Kickoff?
Brazil vs Japan kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. CT on Monday, June 29, 2026, which is noon local time in Houston. Here is the start time in major regions:
| Region | Local Kickoff |
|---|---|
| Eastern (ET) | 1:00 p.m., Mon June 29 |
| Central (CT) | 12:00 p.m., Mon June 29 |
| Mountain (MT) | 11:00 a.m., Mon June 29 |
| Pacific (PT) | 10:00 a.m., Mon June 29 |
| Brazil (BRT) | 2:00 p.m., Mon June 29 |
| UK (BST) | 6:00 p.m., Mon June 29 |
| Japan (JST) | 2:00 a.m., Tue June 30 |
Where to Watch Brazil vs Japan: TV Channel & Live Stream
In the US, watch Brazil vs Japan on FOX in English or Telemundo in Spanish. To stream, use FOX One or the FOX Sports app for the English feed, and Peacock or the Telemundo app for the Spanish broadcast.
Traveling outside the US? Your home service may be blocked abroad. A trusted VPN such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark reconnects you to your home region so you can stream as normal. Always follow your provider’s terms of service.
Road to the Round of 32
Brazil topped Group C with seven points. Carlo Ancelotti’s side drew 1-1 with Morocco, then cruised past Haiti and Scotland by identical 3-0 scorelines, edging Morocco to first place on goal difference.
Vinícius Júnior found the net in all three group games, and Matheus Cunha added three goals of his own, giving the Seleção real momentum.
Japan reached the knockout stage as Group F runners-up and did it unbeaten. The Samurai Blue drew 2-2 with the Netherlands, hammered Tunisia 4-0, and held Sweden to a 1-1 draw, finishing on five points. It continues a run of fearless results for Hajime Moriyasu’s well-drilled team.
Brazil vs Japan Match Preview
This one carries extra spice. The same two coaches, Ancelotti and Moriyasu, were in the dugouts last October when Japan stunned Brazil 3-2, rallying from two goals down for their first-ever win over the five-time champions.
Brazil will want revenge, and even without the injured Raphinha, they have the firepower to take it through an in-form Vinícius Júnior and Matheus Cunha, backed by the experience of Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães in midfield.
Japan will not flinch, even though they look set to be without winger Takefusa Kubo, who is carrying an injury. Moriyasu’s team defends in a tight, disciplined block and breaks at speed, with midfielder Daichi Kamada pulling the strings and striker Ayase Ueda, who found the net in that October upset, leading the line.
If Brazil’s attacking fullbacks push too high, Japan have the pace and intelligence to punish them on the counter. Expect Brazil to dominate the ball and Japan to make every transition count.
Brazil vs Japan FAQ: All You Want to Know
Has Japan ever beaten Brazil?
Yes, once. The two teams have met 14 times, and Brazil dominate the all-time record, but Japan finally broke through in October 2025 with a stunning 3-2 comeback friendly win, their first-ever victory over Brazil. Monday’s Round of 32 tie is the rematch.
Will Neymar play for Brazil against Japan?
Neymar is back in the Brazil squad after returning as a substitute against Scotland, so he is available for selection. Carlo Ancelotti has not confirmed his starting XI, and Neymar’s exact role will be clear when the team sheet is released about an hour before kickoff.
Who is favored to win, Brazil or Japan?
Brazil are favored as five-time world champions with one of the strongest attacks in the tournament. That said, Japan beat them in their most recent meeting and arrived at the knockout stage unbeaten, so an upset is genuinely possible.
Who will the winner play in the Round of 16?
The winner of Brazil vs Japan advances to the Round of 16 to face the winner of Netherlands vs Morocco. Houston is in line to host that last-16 match, though the venue and date are confirmed once both Round of 32 ties are settled.
Is Brazil vs Japan on free TV in the US?
Yes. FOX carries the English broadcast and is a free over-the-air channel, so an antenna gets you the game at no cost. FIFA also streams the first 10 minutes of every match free on YouTube worldwide.
What happens if Brazil vs Japan ends in a draw?
If the score is level after 90 minutes, the match goes to 30 minutes of extra time. If it is still tied, a penalty shootout decides the winner. There are no replays in the knockout stage, so one team is eliminated on the night.
Brazil vs Japan pits the tournament’s most decorated nation against the side that proved it can beat anyone.
The winner books a place in the last 16, with Brazil chasing a record-extending sixth World Cup title and Japan hunting a first-ever run to the quarterfinals. Tune in at 1:00 p.m. ET on Monday, June 29 on FOX, and expect a tactical, tense knockout clash in Houston.
