In the Round of 32 at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, Japan lost to Brazil 2-1, but many in Japan believe the team has narrowed the gap with the world's elite. Japan initially took the lead with a goal in the first half but struggled in the second half against Brazil's height, skill, and late-game focus.
On June 29, Japan faced Brazil at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, where they lost 2-1. Japan's Kaishu Sano scored the opening goal in the 29th minute of the first half after intercepting a Brazilian pass and making a solo run. However, Brazil equalized in the 56th minute with a goal from Casemiro, and in stoppage time, Gabriel Martinelli scored the winning goal.
Japanese media focused more on the performance than the loss. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun noted that Japan effectively contained Brazil's attacks with strong pressing and tight defense in the first half, calling it a "near-perfect game." They described Sano's goal as a moment where he seemed to surpass Brazil through individual skill.
However, the momentum shifted in the second half. Brazil increased their pressure with crosses and aerial duels, forcing Japan into a more defensive position. The Nikkei analyzed that Japan had played their best cards in the first half, leaving them with fewer attacking options in the second. They expressed regret that if Takefusa Kubo and Kaoru Mitoma had been available, Brazil might not have been able to push their defense forward so easily.
The Asahi Shimbun stated that Japan executed their game plan against Brazil almost perfectly in the first half, focusing on defense and waiting for opportunities, which led to Sano's opening goal. However, as Brazil intensified their attack with long balls and crosses, Japan gradually fell back. The Asahi noted that Japan forced Brazil to give their all but ultimately fell short in the final moments.
Players expressed dissatisfaction with merely fighting well. Japan's Ritsu Doan said after the match, "We lacked strength. The world level is indeed high," adding that while the team prepared desperately to win, they felt the wall of the world was still present.
Sano, who scored the opening goal, expressed frustration, stating, "We are not a team that ends here." He reflected on his goal, saying, "It was good to take the ball and score in my own way, but the team's result is more important. A momentary lapse in the final phase was revealed." Japan's Ayase Ueda remarked, "We proved we can hold our own against world-class teams," believing that Japanese football is definitely improving and that one day they could be seen as a title contender rather than a dark horse.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu also could not hide his disappointment. After the match, he said, "It's unfortunate to end the tournament here, but the players gave their all." He added, "The level of Japanese football is clearly rising," while acknowledging that there are still areas that need improvement to surpass the world stage.
Fans also evaluated the team's growth with a sense of disappointment. The Nikkei reported that Japanese fans watching the game locally felt a sense of possibility this time, contrasting it with the despair they felt 20 years ago when Japan was no match for Brazil. In the 2006 World Cup, Japan lost 4-1 to Brazil, but this time they fought hard until stoppage time. At a fan gathering in Tokyo, one supporter said, "I am proud of the Japanese team that pushed Brazil until the end," while another in Osaka noted, "The wall of the world is still high, but we showed we can compete against strong teams."
The Yomiuri Shimbun commented, "Japanese football is definitely growing. However, the world is also getting stronger at the same or even greater pace." They noted that Japan, regarded as the "strongest ever," finished the tournament with one win, two draws, and one loss, having secured a significant victory over Tunisia but drawing against European powerhouses Netherlands and Sweden, and narrowly losing to Brazil in the final moments.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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