The fascinating battle between the samurai and the Selecao

Brazil and Japan meet at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday in the 19th day of the 2026 World Cup.

Maurizio Mariani of Italy has been appointed to referee the tie. The two sides have met five times before, with Brazil winning three, Japan once and one game ending level.

Brazil arrive with four wins and a draw from their last five matches, while Japan have recorded three wins and two draws over the same run.

The winners will advance to the last 16, where they will face the winner of the Ivory Coast v Norway match.

The round of 16 has already opened with Canada beating South Africa at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The winners of that game will meet the side that comes through Netherlands v Morocco in the next round.