The 2026 men’s World Cup has now reached its knockout rounds, with an expanded field of 48 teams whittled down to 32 at the end of the group stage.

Of the four dozen nations that qualified for this summer’s finals in North America, only one is making its 23rd World Cup appearance, having been ever-present since the inaugural tournament in Uruguay in 1930.

Which is the men’s World Cup’s only 23-time qualifier?

Brazil, a team chasing its sixth title, is the sole 2026 qualifier to have also featured at all 22 previous World Cup finals. The Brazilians’ haul of five world championships is also a record; the Seleção leads the way just ahead of Germany and Italy, who have each lifted four World Cups.

Most World Cup appearances (incl. 2026) - top five:

• 1. Brazil: 23 (five wins)
• 2. Germany: 21* (four wins)
• 3. Argentina: 19 (three wins)
• 4. Italy: 18 (four wins)
• 5. France: 17 (two wins)
• =. England: 17 (one win)
• =. Spain: 17 (one win)

*10 as West Germany

Can Brazil make it six in 23 at the 2026 World Cup?

Although Brazil’s record haul of appearances and trophies makes them, undoubtedly, the greatest nation in the tournament’s 96-year history, the South Americans came into the 2026 finals in a relatively fallow World Cup period.

Brazil won the most recent of their five men’s World Cups back in 2002 - meaning the Canarinha is now on a title-free run surpassed only by its wait for its very first crown, secured at the sixth attempt in 1958.

Brazil have reached the semifinals only once since ’02 - and that was on home soil. Having reached the the last four in 2014, moreover, they suffered a historic humiliation, losing 7-1 to eventual winners Germany.

The manner in which Brazil qualified for this summer’s World Cup did not invite optimism over their chances in North America, either. In a campaign that saw the Brazilians use three different head coaches, the team finished fifth in South America’s qualifying competition, 10 points behind Argentina in first. It was, statistically, Brazil’s worst ever World Cup qualification bid.

Now led by former Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who replaced Dorival Júnior as boss in May 2025, Brazil lost to Japan and drew with Tunisia in tournament tuneups last autumn, and were beaten by France in a high-profile friendly in March.

And when Brazil’s World Cup began, they failed to impress in a 1-1 opening draw with Morocco, requiring a Vinícius Júnior leveller after Ismael Saibari’s early strike for the Atlas Lions. The Seleção did recover from that lacklustre start, though, going on to win Group C. Thanks to successive 3-0 victories, over Haiti and Scotland, Ancelotti’s men continued the Canarinha’s run of topping their initial round-robin section at every men’s World Cup since 1982.

Now, having advanced to the round of 32, the Brazilians have the chance to avenge October’s 3-2 friendly defeat to the Japanese. They go to Houston to face the Samurai Blue, bidding to improve on their record of just six wins in 12 World Cup knockout games since 2002.

Brazil vs Japan: kickoff times, how to watch

Brazil and Japan play today, Monday, June 29, at Houston’s NRG Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Viewers in the United States can watch the matchup on Fox Network, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, Fox One and fubo.

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