Brazil’s upcoming international friendly against Japan will take place on Tuesday in Tokyo, concluding their October tour of Far East Asia. This match marks Carlo Ancelotti’s fifth encounter in charge of the Brazilian national team. Their previous match resulted in an impressive 5-0 victory over South Korea, where Rodrygo and Estêvão each scored two goals, and Vinícius Júnior added another. This performance followed a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign, where Brazil finished fifth, with a record of three losses in 18 matches.
Japan’s Performance and World Cup Qualification
Japan secured their place in the upcoming 2026 World Cup by demonstrating dominance in the AFC qualifying rounds. They recently drew 2-2 with Paraguay in their first friendly of October. Hajime Moriyasu leads the team, aiming for their first-ever win against Brazil. Japan’s squad is expected to see the return of Ao Tanaka in midfield. However, captain Wataru Endō had to drop out due to an unspecified injury.
Predicted Lineups
Japan vs. Brazil: Expected Team Arrangements
| Japan | Brazil |
|---|---|
| GK: S. Suzuki | GK: Bento |
| DEF: Seko, Watanabe, J. Suzuki | DEF: Vitinho, Militão, Gabriel, Santos |
| MID: Ito, Sano, Tanaka, Nakamura | MID: Guimarães, Casemiro |
| FOR: Doan, Minamino, Ogawa | FOR: Rodrygo, Cunha, Vinícius, Richarlison |
Match Outlook
Following their significant win against South Korea, Brazil is eager to maintain momentum against Japan. Ancelotti seems inclined to keep a consistent lineup, focusing on squad continuity. Players such as Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior are anticipated to play crucial roles in the attack.
Japan will need to enhance their performance to compete effectively, especially after struggling to secure a draw against Paraguay. This friendly serves as an essential test for both teams as they finalize preparations for the World Cup.
Match Prediction
Experts predict a competitive clash, with Brazil entering the match as favorites due to their recent form. A common prediction suggests the final score might be Japan 1, Brazil 3.
