Japan's football team prepares for World Cup 2026 clash with Brazil

A Brazilian influencer living in Japan posted a video showing several Japanese fans' comments ahead of the Brazil‑Japan Round of 16 match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The remarks, shared on Instagram, included insults such as “Brazil is weak”, “low IQ” and “third‑category players”, and the influencer urged the Brazilian squad not to embarrass the nation.

An opinion piece on Japan’s football development notes the team’s rise since joining the J‑League in the 1990s, highlighting recent victories over Germany (4‑1 in 2023), England (1‑0 at Wembley) and a 2‑0 win over Brazil in October 2025. The article also mentions injuries to key players like Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Takefusa Kubo, and outlines coach Hajime Moriyasu’s emphasis on collective effort and a long‑term goal of winning the World Cup by 2050. The upcoming match will be played in Houston, United States, on 29 June 2026 at 14:00 BRT.