Brazil vs Japan: Top five players to watch out for in FIFA World Cup 2026 clash ft. Daichi Kamada & Vinicius Jr

Both Brazil and Japan are unbeaten so far in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With an unforgettable group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to an end, the tournament now enters the knockout phase, where every match is a do-or-die affair, and defeat means an immediate exit.

For the first time in history, the FIFA World Cup features a round of 32 as the opening knockout stage after the tournament was expanded to 48 teams. Group C winners Brazil will take on Group F runners-up Japan in their Round of 32 clash.

Brazil finished the group stage unbeaten. After opening their campaign with a draw against Morocco, Carlo Ancelotti’s side bounced back in style with consecutive 3-0 victories over Haiti and Scotland. Despite a slow start, Brazil have looked increasingly confident with every passing game.

Their opponents, Japan, also remained unbeaten in the group stage, recording one win and two draws to finish second with five points. They held both the Netherlands and Sweden to draws while comfortably defeating Tunisia 4-0.

The clash between the two sides is scheduled to take place at the Houston Stadium in Texas, United States, on June 29. Here are five players to watch when Brazil and Japan meet in this crucial Round of 32 encounter.

Top five players to watch for Brazil vs Japan

S.No.	Player Name	Country
1	Vinicius Junior	Brazil
2	Matheus Cunha	Brazil
3	Ayase Ueda	Japan
4	Bruno Guimaraes	Brazil
5	Daichi Kamada	Japan

5. Daichi Kamada

The Crystal Palace midfielder has been one of Japan’s standout performers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Kamada has already scored twice in the tournament, netting a crucial equaliser against the Netherlands in the opening game before adding another goal against Tunisia.

Kamada is known for his tireless work rate and his ability to find pockets of space in and around the edge of the box. A natural box-to-box midfielder, he is equally comfortable operating in a deeper or more advanced role. He is also highly press-resistant, using clever body feints and quick one-touch combinations to evade pressure and keep possession.

4. Bruno Guimaraes

The Brazilian midfield engine has been one of the key figures in Carlo Ancelotti’s side throughout the tournament. Playing alongside Casemiro, Guimaraes is a proper number eight who covers immense ground in midfield and consistently wins possession back for his side with his relentless work rate.

Beyond his defensive contributions, he possesses exceptional technical quality on the ball, particularly his vision and ability to play line-breaking forward passes. He has already registered three assists at the tournament, one against Morocco and two against Scotland.

Also Read: Preview: Brazil vs Japan prediction, odds, where to watch, time | FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32

3. Ayase Ueda

Japan’s main man in attack, Ueda, is a traditional number nine who thrives inside the penalty area with his intelligent movement and clinical finishing. The Feyenoord striker also leads the press from the front and is an important part of Japan’s pressing structure.

While he has impressed in all three games so far, his best of the tournament came in Japan’s 4-0 victory over Tunisia, where he scored twice and provided an assist. His aerial presence and ability to hold up the ball will be vital if Japan are to trouble Brazil’s strong defensive unit.

2. Matheus Cunha

Matheus Cunha has transformed Brazil’s attack since replacing Igor Thiago in the starting lineup. He announced himself with a brace against Haiti before adding another goal in the final group-stage match against Scotland.

Cunha appears perfectly suited to Brazil’s style of play. His unpredictable movement makes him a nightmare for defenders as he combines the traits of a false nine with the instincts of a traditional striker. Comfortable carrying the ball forward, he constantly finds space and rotates positions with his fellow attackers to disrupt opposition defences.

1. Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior has been one of the stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has spearheaded Brazil’s attack under Carlo Ancelotti. One of the biggest criticisms of Vinicius in recent years was his inability to consistently replicate his club form for the national team, but his former Real Madrid manager has helped unlock his full potential.

The Real Madrid winger has scored in all three group-stage matches, finding the net four times, including a brace. His qualities need little introduction, as he continues to showcase his exceptional dribbling, explosive pace, and ability to carry the ball from the left flank. A constant goal threat, Vinicius has once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the game’s biggest performers on the biggest stage.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.