Japan

The FIFA World Cup knockout stage has already produced its share of shocks, and Brazil know they cannot afford another below-par performance when they face Norway in one of the standout Round of 16 encounters. The five-time world…

For ninety minutes, Japan made Brazil appear unusually ordinary. South Africa, dismissed by many before kick-off, reduced Canada to a single decisive moment. Paraguay matched Germany stride for stride before eliminating the four-time world…

There is a particular flavour of Brazilian discomfort that has nothing to do with results and everything to do with manner, and it was on full display for the best part of an hour in Houston. Japan, set up in a compact 5-4-1 that conceded…

The first ever round of 32 in a world cup has started brightly. We are a quarter of our way towards the round of sixteen. When FIFA introduced the round of 32, it was considered to have opened the door towards more one-sided knock-out ties.…

Brazil left it late but kept their FIFA World Cup campaign alive with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Japan on Sunday, overturning a first-half deficit to secure a place in the Round of 16. For much of the contest, the five-time world…

Brazil and Japan meet at Houston Stadium on Monday evening in a Round of 32 encounter that carries genuine tactical intrigue despite the obvious quality disparity. Ancelotti's side arrive as Group C winners with established momentum from…

The expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup was widely heralded as the dawn of a new era for Asian football. Benefiting from an increased allocation of eight direct spots plus a play-off path, a record nine nations from the Asian Football…

Few expected the final matchday in Group F to be this finely balanced. Japan and Sweden head to Dallas Stadium on Thursday knowing that one result could shape the rest of their World Cup journey. The Samurai Blue have put themselves in a…

The Netherlands head into their final Group F fixture knowing that ninety more minutes stand between them and top spot. Ronald Koeman's side take on an already-eliminated Tunisia at Kansas City Stadium on Thursday, aiming to cap an…

Day 10 delivered the full range of emotions the World Cup can produce. The Netherlands announced themselves as genuine contenders with a five-goal demolition. Germany survived a scare before a 94th-minute winner confirmed their progress.…