The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its first knockout rounds, and Brazil versus Japan meet in the Round of 32 on June 30, 2026, with Brazil carrying the weight of five world titles.
Why the 2026 format matters here
The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams, up from the previous 32-team field. FIFA restructured the group stage to accommodate the expansion, placing teams into 16 groups of three rather than the traditional format of eight groups of four.
The top two finishers from each group advance to the knockout stage, which now opens with a Round of 32 rather than the traditional Round of 16.
Japan is one of the direct beneficiaries of the expanded allocation for the Asian Football Confederation.
