Dugout Discussion
29 June 2026 180 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The first of the day’s Round of 32 matches takes place in Houston, and it’s an intriguing-looking clash we’ve got in store: Brazil v Japan.

Kick-off is at 18:00 BST.

The bookies unsurprisingly make Brazil the favourites, giving them approximately a 70% chance of making it through this potentially tricky encounter.

But the Blue Samurai emerged from their group undefeated, and indeed haven’t lost a game since last September. They’ve even defeated the Selecao in that time, winning 3-2 back in October.

TEAM NEWS

The team news is straightforward for Brazil, as Carlo Ancelotti keeps the same starting XI that beat Scotland 3-0.

Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu does make alterations, however.

There are four changes from the 1-1 draw with Sweden.

Takehiro Tomiyasu ($4.9m) and Shogo Taniguchi ($3.9m) come in for Ayumu Seko ($3.8m) and Ko Itakura ($4.5m) at the rear, while Kaishu Sano ($4.9m) is preferred to Ao Tanaka ($5.0m) in central midfield.

The other tweak sees Junya Ito ($5.0m) replace Yukinari Sugawara ($4.4m), which presumably means Ritsu Doan ($5.1m) moves from right wing to right wing-back.

LINE-UPS

Brazil XI: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas Santos; Guimaraes, Casemiro, Paqueta; Rayan, Cunha, Vinicius Jr.

Japan XI: Zion Suzuki; Tomiyasu, Taniguchi, Hiroki Ito; Doan, Sano, Kamada, Nakamura; Junya Ito, Maeda; Ueda.


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  1. Travel Notes
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Bruno Guimarães still at 4.9% ownership.

    1. Travel Notes
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Sure to go up now.

  2. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Brazil XI: Allison; Danilo, Marquinhos ©, Gabriel, Douglas Santos; Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Paqueta; Rayan, Cunha, Vinicius Jr

    Japan XI: Suzuki; Tomiyasu, Taniguchi, H. Itō; J. Ito, Sano, Kamada, Nakamura; Maeda, Doan ©; Ueda

    Just in case....

  3. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Lol. Ancelotti singing the Brazil anthem 😆

  4. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    These two sides should have played yesterday’s efforts, so it would at least be a R16 game…

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Want both teams to win this one…

    2. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Yeah feels like it's a round, or maybe a couple of rounds, too early for this match up.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        Agreed

  5. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Italy involved in the VAR team, so they made it in the end, congratulations…

  6. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    I’ll say it

    Matterface and Dixon are the worst commentary duo for a football match on mainstream TV that we’ve ever had

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Sadly there’s a lot of competition these days - commentators used to add so much to the excitement and atmosphere of a game…no more, alas

      1. Qaiss
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        Martin Tyler always talked about what is on the pitch. John Motson the same

        Tyldesley had scripted lines but it didn’t sound cringe and he was extremely enthusiastic

        Guy Mowbray is brilliant but Matterface must have dirt on the bosses at ITV. Can’t believe they sacked Tyldesley for him

        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 2 days ago

          Yep, weird decision, most likely age related…

    2. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Prefer Lee Dixon to Shearer tbh, though McManaman is the worst for me.

  7. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Decent game so far, Brazil had it far too easy against Scotland so we still don't know their true quality yet.

    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Didn't watch brazil vs morocco?

  8. jacob1989
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Similar game to yday. Brazil like canada trying, japan like south africa defending. Little bit difference in quality of course

  9. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Ronaldinho is such a gangsta, absolute legend of the game…

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Always made me smile, when watching him play.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        Even when strolling around, was awesome….

    2. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Endless aura

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        Farms it for free….

  10. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    25mins re-coaching break…

  11. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Great goal Japan….get it

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Casemiro legs stuck in mud…

    2. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Well struck from the DMF

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        Perfect placement…

  12. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Let's go Japan!!!!!!!!!

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Not gonna happen, but if Japan won this WC, I’d be delighted….

  13. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Sano the main super star

    1. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Mainz*

    2. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Which club does he play for?

      1. PartyTime
        • 5 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        DMF for Mainz

        1. jacob1989
          • 4 Years
          2 months, 2 days ago

          Just read that is his 1st ever international goal! What a time to get it

  14. Fifa las vegas
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    What a finish!

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      He’s lucky to be on the pitch 😆

      Casemiro has gone back to his Ten Hag second season form

  15. Thanos
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    First blood to Japan

  16. jacob1989
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Haha go japan!

  17. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Japan should just run everything at/through Casemiro until he gets sent off…

  18. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Some of Ancelotti’s choices in this squad are strange

    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Who do u want? Ronaldo 9, ronaldinho, romario?

      1. Qaiss
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        Casemiro can’t run

        Joao Pedro is way better than Igor Thiago, Ancelotti didn’t realise that until half-time of their first match

        1. jacob1989
          • 4 Years
          2 months, 2 days ago

          Yeah j pedro would have been better than i Thiago or cunha perhaps. But no guarantee that will improve the team

  19. Bobby Digital
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Did Santos to Dest last minute because I was afraid of this happening

  20. JBG
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Triple up on Brazil not looking so good atm

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Which three?

      1. JBG
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        Alisson, Vini and Bruno G

    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Qualification booster already on the ropes 😆

      1. jacob1989
        • 4 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        Luckily got only vinicius

        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 2 days ago

          I did a fairly last minute switch from Oyarzabal to Cunha which is so far looking like a disaster. Second half might change things. Casemiro probably needs to come off again anyway for a start

          1. karam94
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 2 days ago

            Haha same but it was because of the Canadian 3.5m defender being benched

    3. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Triple up until deadline for me.. glad I offloaded

  21. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Gabriel & Casemiro at fault for that goal

    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Or maybe just a great strike?

      1. PartyTime
        • 5 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        Gabriel didn't attempt to close the gap & block the shot while Casemiro's old fibulas couldn't catch up

    2. Travel Notes
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Casemiro on a yellow stunted his options.

  22. Bobby Digital
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Do something Vini!

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      I’ll happily take dropped points for a Japan win…

      1. jacob1989
        • 4 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        Same here. Plenty of chances to change c and sub out

      2. Bobby Digital
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        Yeah will be exciting to captain Wirtz in the next game 😛

        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 2 days ago

          I’ll be switching to Nmecha, yikes…

          1. Thanos
            • 5 Years
            2 months, 2 days ago

            Musiala here 😆

            1. Fifa las vegas
              • 14 Years
              2 months, 2 days ago

              I have no Germans 🙁

              1. Thanos
                • 5 Years
                2 months, 2 days ago

                I got 2 😆

              2. jacob1989
                • 4 Years
                2 months, 2 days ago

                I got only kimmich.

        2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 9 Years
          2 months, 2 days ago

          Sane here

  23. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Brazil don’t even have Richarlison or Antony to bring on…

    1. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      I'd forgotten about Antony (as a United fan I may have blocked him from my brain).

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        Possibly one of the worst spells at any club by any footballer ever…that spin thing he kept doing was horrific…

        1. Goro Majima
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 2 days ago

          That spin thing was his highlights reel!

    2. Thanos
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Its Vinny or bust.

      Or Neymar time!!!

  24. jacob1989
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Vinicius is really the only threatening player of brazil esp with raphinha injured. They did only finish 5th in wc qualifying which would have meant a playoff under old rules

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Endrick meant to have flair…

  25. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    This ref has been really impressive so far.

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      And VAR all tournament, how can’t they use it in the same way for PL?

    2. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Most refs are outside the PL..

    3. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      All refs and var have been superb. I cant remember a single major controversy. For one, no soft penalities given unlike in PL

  26. jacob1989
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Japan look so well organised in defense

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      And work rate, hope they can keep it up…

  27. jacob1989
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Why don't pl teams or other big teams shoot more often from distance? So many goals outside the box this wc

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      They used to, coached out of them and switch to set pieces and trying to chuck ball in the goal from throw-ins…

      1. jacob1989
        • 4 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        And too much tiki taka, trying to get perfect goal i guess

  28. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Each time they replay the Sano goal, Casemiro gets left further behind lol….

    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Buy it was danilo i think with the wrong pass

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 2 days ago

        Yep…

    2. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      😆 look at those old tired legs. Gabriel also indecisive

  29. Thanos
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    Wont be surprised if Thiago comes on at HT.

    Brazil need a central point to take away the attention from likes of Vinny.

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 2 days ago

      Endrick and Martinelli also…

  30. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 2 days ago

    OAP off, Endrick on…