Japan aims to break World Cup knock-out curse against Brazil
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 26, 2026, 10:12 AM
Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Japan faces Brazil in the last 32 of the World Cup in Houston on Monday. Japan has not won a World Cup knock-out match in four attempts and seeks to end that streak. The Samurai Blue enter with confidence after a 3-2 victory against Brazil in a friendly last autumn. They finished the group stage with a 1-1 draw against Sweden, placing second behind the Netherlands. Coach Hajime Moriyasu acknowledges the challenge posed by Brazil but believes in their ability to compete.
- •Japan has never won a World Cup knock-out match.
- •They beat Brazil for the first time in a friendly last year.
- •Japan finished group stage with a 1-1 draw against Sweden.
- •Coach Moriyasu respects Brazil but believes Japan can compete.
- 11:12 AMYahoo Sports — 'Proper football': Japan out to end knock-outs curse in Brazil match
- 10:12 AMYahoo Sports — Japan want to end World Cup knock-outs curse against mighty Brazil
"Japan have never won a World Cup knock-out match in four attempts and in order to finally break the curse they must beat no one less than record champions Brazil. But the Samurai Blue have every right to enter Monday's last 32 match in Houston with confidence as they beat Brazil for the first time last autumn, 3-2 in a friendly international in Tokyo.
"Japan have never won a World Cup knock-out match in four attempts and in order to finally break the curse they must beat no one less than record champions Brazil. But the Samurai Blue have every right to enter Monday's last 32 match in Houston with confidence as they beat Brazil for the first time last autumn, 3-2 in a friendly international in Tokyo.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 26, 2026, 11:12 AM'Proper football': Japan out to end knock-outs curse in Brazil match
Japan have never won a World Cup knock-out match in four attempts and in order to finally break the curse they must beat no one less than record champions Brazil. But the Samurai Blue have every right to enter Monday's last 32 match in Houston with confidence as they beat Brazil for the first time last autumn, 3-2 in a friendly international in Tokyo.
- Yahoo SportsJun 26, 2026, 10:12 AMJapan want to end World Cup knock-outs curse against mighty Brazil
Japan have never won a World Cup knock-out match in four attempts and in order to finally break the curse they must beat no one less than record champions Brazil. But the Samurai Blue have every right to enter Monday's last 32 match in Houston with confidence as they beat Brazil for the first time last autumn, 3-2 in a friendly international in Tokyo.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- Soccer•Jun 26, 2026, 12:06 PMJapan's progress paying off at World Cup, says Troussier
- FIFA World Cup•Jun 26, 2026, 12:00 PMSoccer legend comments on Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes at FIFA World Cup
- FIFA World Cup•Jun 26, 2026, 12:00 PMWhere to watch New Zealand vs. Belgium live stream, TV channel, start time for World Cup Group G match
- Serie A•Jun 26, 2026, 12:00 PMMilan Zero In on PSG Forward to Shore Up Frontline
- EPL•Jun 26, 2026, 12:00 PMNewcastle Pass On Another Humongous Bid to Profit from Sandro Tonali’s Sale
- Soccer•Jun 26, 2026, 11:44 AMIs the US out of the World Cup? No. Here's why
