Brazil vs Japan Key Stats: FIFA World Cup 2026
by Trystan Pugh ·
Below you can find key stats for Brazil vs Japan. From historical trends to player milestones, we have you covered for every match at FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA, Canada & Mexico!
- The only previous FIFA World Cup meeting between the teams was in the 2006 group stage when Brazil won 4-1 in Dortmund, Ronaldo scoring twice.
- Brazil have won 11 of the 14 meetings between the sides (D2 L1), but that lone defeat came in their most recent encounter. Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu and Brazil’s Carlo Ancelotti were in opposing dugouts when Japan claimed their first-ever win over Brazil in an October 2025 friendly, overturning a deficit to triumph 3–2 with Ayase Ueda scoring the decisive goal.
- Brazil have won all four of their FIFA World Cup matches against AFC opposition, most recently a 4-1 victory over Korea Republic in the round of 16 at Qatar 2022 — their only knockout‑stage meeting with an AFC side.
- Brazil are unbeaten in their ten FIFA World Cup fixtures on US soil (W7 D3).
- The Brazilians have led at half-time on 45 occasions at the FIFA World Cup and gone on to lose just once (W41 D3). Their sole defeat when ahead at the break came against the Netherlands in the 2010 quarter-finals.
- Vinícius Júnior is the first Brazilian to score in all three matches of a World Cup group stage since 2002, when both Ronaldo and Rivaldo achieved the feat. Each extended their streak to four by scoring again in the round of 16.
- Brazil have scored in 12 of their last 13 World Cup matches.
- Japan have won only one of their five FIFA World Cup matches against South American opposition (D1 L3), their sole victory a 2-1 win over Colombia in the 2018 group stage — also their most recent such meeting. Their only knockout‑stage encounter with a CONMEBOL side came in the 2010 round of 16, when they were eliminated by Paraguay on penalties after a 0–0 draw.
- Japan have reached the knockout rounds for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup – and for the fifth time in seven editions – having first achieved the feat as co‑hosts in 2002. Their total of five qualifications extends their AFC record.
- Japan are aiming to win a FIFA World Cup knockout tie for the first time. Their most recent appearance came in 2022, when they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Croatia on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
- Japan’s seven goals after three matches already represent their highest‑ever tally at a FIFA World Cup, surpassing their return of six from 2018.
- Yūto Nagatomo has tied the Asian record of 16 FIFA World Cup matches played, held by Korea Republic’s Hong Myung‑bo.
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