Will Neymar play for Brazil against Japan in their round-of-32 matchup at the 2026 World Cup?
After his late cameo in Brazil’s final group game, Neymar’s fitness is progressing “very nicely”, says Seleção boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Neymar doesn’t appear to be in contention to start against Japan today, but Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti says the forward is fit enough to be given a longer runout than in last week’s Group C win over Scotland.
“Neymar coming along very nicely”
Sensationally recalled to Brazil’s roster for the 2026 World Cup, Neymar missed the Seleção’s first two group games due to a calf injury, before coming on as a 75th-minute substitute in Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over the Scots in Miami. It was the 34-year-old’s first appearance for Brazil since October 2023.
Now, as the five-time champions prepare for a round-of-32 clash with the Japanese in Texas, Ancelotti says Neymar is getting closer to full fitness.
“Neymar is coming along very nicely,” the Italian told reporters on Sunday. “He has progressed really well this week. It’s a shame he hasn’t been able to train for all the time he’s been with us, but he can play more than 15 minutes. He’s in really pretty good shape. A lot depends on how the game unfolds tomorrow.”
Appearing at his fourth World Cup, Neymar is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, with 79 in 129 caps - including eight at FIFA’s showpiece tournament. His most recent international goals came in September 2023, when he netted a double in Brazil’s opening qualifier for the 2026 World Cup, a 5-1 win over Bolivia.
Possible Brazil lineup vs Japan:
Alisson; Danilo Luiz, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Douglas Santos; Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Lucas Paquetá; Vinícius Júnior, Matheus Cunha, Rayan
Substitutes: Roger Ibañez, Ederson, Danilo Santos, Éderson Silva, Endrick, Neymar, Leo Pereira, Fabinho, Igor Thiago, Luiz Henrique, Bremer, Weverton, Gabriel Martinelli, Alex Sandro
Brazil vs Japan: kickoff times, how to watch in the U.S.
Brazil and Japan face off today, Monday, June 29, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. In the United States, the game will be available to watch on Fox Network, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, Fox One and fubo.
The winners of the round-of-32 clash will advance to a last-16 matchup with the Ivory Coast or Norway, at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 5. The Ivorians and the Norwegians meet in the last 32 on Tuesday, June 30.
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