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Japan and Brazil will meet in an international friendly at the Singapore National Stadium on Saturday, November 14. The fixture renews a rivalry that saw Brazil claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over Japan in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, where Gabriel Martinelli scored a 95th-minute winning goal.
Match Analysis and Squad Development
Following their World Cup exit, Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu urged his squad to use the defeat as motivation. Japan has since maintained an unbeaten run in four matches, recording three victories alongside a penalty shootout win against Ecuador. Moriyasu’s side previously secured their first victory against Brazil in 15 attempts with a 3-2 win in Tokyo in October 2025, and they have scored in 14 of their last 15 fixtures.
Brazil enters the match under manager Carlo Ancelotti having won their last two games, scoring eight goals in total. Ancelotti is utilizing the friendly schedule to integrate younger players into the squad ahead of the 2028 Copa América and 2030 World Cup qualifying fixtures.
Arsenal defender Gabriel commented on the squad’s objective during this international window: “It’s to receive the new boys in the best possible way and to pass on our experience to them. The most important thing is how you are wearing the national team shirt. We know it’s the heaviest shirt in the world. So we try to pass tranquility to them too.”
Team News and Expected Line-ups
Japan will be without injured defender Takehiro Tomiyasu. Attackers Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Doan are expected to lead the offensive effort. Notably, Japan has won all seven international matches in which Kubo has scored.
Brazil is missing several key regulars. Goalkeeper Alisson, Gabriel Martinelli, and Matheus Cunha were omitted from the squad, while Lucas Paquetá and Joao Pedro are unavailable due to injuries. Vinicius Junior and Raphinha are expected to start in the attack.
Expected Japan XI: Suzuki; Seko, Itakura, Ito; Sugawara, Kamada, Tanaka, Nakamura; Kubo, Maeda; Ogawa.
Expected Brazil XI: Bento; Wesley, Jair Cunha, Gabriel, Santos; Bontempo, Gomes, Guimaraes; Estevao, Vinicius Jr, Raphinha.
Kickoff Time and Viewing Information
The match is scheduled to kick off at 10:15 am GMT (6:15 pm local time) in Singapore. The game will not be broadcast live on television in the United Kingdom or the United States. In Japan, coverage will be provided by TV Asahi and U-NEXT, while viewers in Brazil can watch via SporTV, Globo, and Globoplay.
Both teams will remain in Singapore for another international match next week, with Brazil playing host nation Singapore on Tuesday, while Japan takes on Paraguay.
