World Cup 2026: Brazil vs Japan Prediction, Tips & Odds

* Odds supplied by Betway, accurate at the time of writing.

Brazil take on Japan at NRG Stadium in Houston in the Round of 32, kicking off at 19:00 CAT on 29 June. Carlo Ancelotti's five-time world champions won their group on seven points and come in as clear favourites, while Japan went through as Group F runners up after a high scoring group stage. Whoever wins goes into the Round of 16 and stays in line for a long run at this World Cup. All our World Cup betting tips are waiting for you in our dedicated section.

Brazil

Under Ancelotti, Brazil look like a real powerhouse again, and for me their attacking depth is in a different class in this game. Vinicius Junior is the danger man out wide, Neymar is back and pulling the strings after his long spell out injured, and Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes give them control in midfield. They lost Rodrygo and Estevao to injury before the tournament, but there is enough depth in the squad to cope. After consecutive 3-nil wins against Haiti and Scotland, I think Brazil will take that momentum into the knockouts.

Expected Starting XI: Alisson; Santos, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Danilo; Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Paqueta; Rayan, Cunha, Vinicius Junior.

Japan

Under Hajime Moriyasu, Japan are a well drilled and quick team, and as I see it they will not just park the bus against Brazil. Their attack shone in the group stage, as they hammered Tunisia 4-nil and twice fought back to draw with the Netherlands. Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endo and Takumi Minamino have all missed the whole tournament after being ruled out injured before it began, but so far Japan have coped well without them. Daichi Kamada still heads a strong midfield, and I think Japan will trouble this Brazil defence at least once.

Expected Starting XI: Suzuki; Seko, Itakura, Ito; Sugawara, Tanaka, Kamada, Nakamura; Doan, Ueda, Maeda.

Brazil have enough firepower to win this with room to spare, but Japan are brave in possession and have proved they can make chances too. I see Brazil taking charge and edging an open game, with Japan nicking a late consolation. My prediction: Brazil 2 Japan 1.

BTTS: Yes (1.93)

My pick is BTTS: Yes, because as I see it Japan have had one of the deadliest attacks at this World Cup, scoring in all their group games, including four goals against Tunisia. Brazil are not watertight at the back and have already let one in against Morocco, so Japan should get at least one chance here. At 1.93 the both teams to score price is real value.