Will Neymar Play in Brazil vs Japan FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Match?
Brazilian star Neymar Jr. is expected to make his return from a calf injury as Brazil faces Japan in the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 today, June 29, 2026, at Houston Stadium. Get the full match preview, including updated head-to-head statistics from their 14 encounters, recent team form, kickoff times (10:30 PM IST / 12:00 PM CDT).
Football fans worldwide are keenly awaiting a potential return to action for Brazil's talismanic forward, Neymar Jr., as the Seleção prepare to take on Japan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32. The crucial knockout fixture is scheduled for tonight, June 29, 2026, at Houston Stadium in the United States. Neymar Breaks Down in Tears After Making Emotional Return For Brazil in FIFA World Cup 2026 Following 981-Day Absence.
Neymar, 34, has been sidelined with a Grade 2 calf injury suffered on May 17, just weeks before the tournament kicked off. This injury ruled him out of Brazil's opening group stage match against Morocco on June 13 and their subsequent fixture against Haiti on June 20. However, reports from early June indicated that head coach Carlo Ancelotti expected Neymar to rejoin the squad for training the week after June 13. With over two weeks of recovery and reintegration since then, the forward is now widely anticipated to be fit for selection, offering a significant boost to Brazil's offensive options as they enter the knockout phase.
The Road to the Knockouts
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first to feature an expanded format with 48 teams competing across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Following a group stage of 12 groups with four teams each, the top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-place teams, advanced to a new Round of 32. This knockout stage commenced on June 28 and is set to conclude on July 3. Today's match against Japan marks a critical step for both nations in their quest for World Cup glory. Neymar Joins Legendary Pele in Elite FIFA World Cup List For Brazil After Appearance Against Scotland in WC 2026.
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
Historically, Brazil has maintained a dominant record against Japan. Across 14 recorded meetings, Brazil has secured 11 victories, drawn 2, and suffered only 1 defeat. The Seleção have notably outscored Japan 37-8 across their 14 meetings. However, Japan's sole victory against the five-time World Cup winners came relatively recently, a surprising 3-2 home win in October 2025. Brazil's recent form leading into the knockout stage has been impressive, with five wins and one draw in their last six matches, scoring 18 goals and conceding just five. Japan has also shown strong form, remaining unbeaten in their last six outings with four wins and two draws, scoring 10 goals and conceding three.
With Neymar's likely availability and both teams demonstrating strong form, the Brazil vs. Japan Round of 32 clash promises to be an enthralling encounter as the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its high-stakes knockout phase. The winner will undoubtedly carry significant momentum forward in the tournament.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 29, 2026 01:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
