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Brazil qualified for the 2026 World Cup's round of 32 after topping Group C with a 2-0-1 record, seven points and a plus-six goal differential.
Next up for Carlo Ancelotti's squad will be a matchup against Japan in the round of 32. Brazil will have to make do without one of its star forwards in that contest, as Raphinha will not play as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury.
Raphinha's absence will create a key question for Brazil. Will Rayan continue to start in place of the Barcelona forward, or will Ancelotti opt to go in another direction?
That may ultimately depend on what exactly the team is comfortable asking of Neymar in the knockout stages. The 34-year-old star made his tournament debut against Scotland, marking his return from a right calf injury that plagued him in advance of the tournament.
Even so, Neymar almost certainly isn't ready for starter's minutes at this point in his return to action. As such, Ancelotti will likely prefer to have him available off the bench as Brazil looks to spark yet another deep run at the World Cup.
Here's how Brazil could align for its all-important knockout stage match against Japan.
Brazil is only guaranteed one more match as it heads to the round of 32. Here's what to know:
If Brazil can beat Japan, it would advance to the round of 16 to play the winner of the Norway vs. Ivory Coast match.
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahçe), Weverton (Grêmio)
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Ibañez (Al Ahli), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Ederson (Atalanta BC)
Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al Ittihad), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Neymar Jr. (Santos), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brazil projected lineup vs Japan: Who will start round of 32 match?
Continue reading...
Next up for Carlo Ancelotti's squad will be a matchup against Japan in the round of 32. Brazil will have to make do without one of its star forwards in that contest, as Raphinha will not play as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury.
Raphinha's absence will create a key question for Brazil. Will Rayan continue to start in place of the Barcelona forward, or will Ancelotti opt to go in another direction?
That may ultimately depend on what exactly the team is comfortable asking of Neymar in the knockout stages. The 34-year-old star made his tournament debut against Scotland, marking his return from a right calf injury that plagued him in advance of the tournament.
Even so, Neymar almost certainly isn't ready for starter's minutes at this point in his return to action. As such, Ancelotti will likely prefer to have him available off the bench as Brazil looks to spark yet another deep run at the World Cup.
Here's how Brazil could align for its all-important knockout stage match against Japan.
Brazil projected lineup vs. Japan
Goalkeeper:
- Alisson
Defenders:
- Danilo
- Marquinhos
- Gabriel
- Douglas Santos
Midfielders:
- Casemiro
- Bruno Guimarães
- Lucas Paquetá
Strikers:
- Rayan
- Matheus Cunha
- Vinícius Júnior
Brazil 2026 World Cup schedule
Brazil is only guaranteed one more match as it heads to the round of 32. Here's what to know:
If Brazil can beat Japan, it would advance to the round of 16 to play the winner of the Norway vs. Ivory Coast match.
Brazil World Cup roster 2026
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahçe), Weverton (Grêmio)
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Ibañez (Al Ahli), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Ederson (Atalanta BC)
Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al Ittihad), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Neymar Jr. (Santos), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brazil projected lineup vs Japan: Who will start round of 32 match?
Continue reading...
