Japan’s 2026 World Cup run ended in the Round of 32, where Brazil beat them 2-1 in stoppage time on 29 June. Before that defeat, Japan had gone unbeaten through the group stage, finishing second in Group F on goal difference.
This guide recaps how Japan’s tournament unfolded, from the group stage through the knockout defeat that ended their campaign.
Japan’s full World Cup run
Japan’s 2026 World Cup run ended in the Round of 32, where Brazil beat them 2-1 on 29 June. Before that defeat, Japan had gone unbeaten through the group stage, finishing second in Group F with 5 points from three matches, edging Sweden on goal difference.
Across four matches, Japan scored 8 goals and conceded 5, finishing the tournament with 1 win, 2 draws, and 1 loss.
| Round | Fixture | Date — Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | Netherlands vs Japan | 14 June — Dallas/Arlington (AT&T Stadium) | 2–2 (D) |
| Group Stage | Japan vs Tunisia | 21 June — Monterrey (Estadio BBVA) | 4–0 (W) |
| Group Stage | Japan vs Sweden | 25 June — Dallas (AT&T Stadium) | 1–1 (D) |
| Round of 32 | Brazil vs Japan | 29 June — Houston (NRG Stadium) | 1–2 (L) |
How the Brazil match unfolded
Brazil needed a stoppage-time goal to beat Japan 2-1 in the Round of 32 on 29 June. Kaishu Sano had given Japan an early lead before Brazil fought back twice to win it.
- 29′ — Kaishu Sano puts Japan ahead, his first international goal
- 56′ — Casemiro heads Brazil level, assisted by Gabriel Magalhães
- 90+6′ — Gabriel Martinelli scores the winner from a Bruno Guimarães pass
Frequently Asked Questions
How far did Japan go at the 2026 World Cup?
Japan reached the Round of 32. They finished second in Group F, then lost 2-1 to Brazil on 29 June to exit the tournament.
Who eliminated Japan?
Brazil eliminated Japan in the Round of 32. Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time goal sealed a 2-1 win for Brazil at NRG Stadium in Houston on 29 June.
What was Japan’s final record?
Japan finished with 1 win, 2 draws, and 1 loss in four matches. They scored 8 goals and conceded 5 across the group stage and their Round of 32 exit.
Sources
- FIFA — Group F standings, 2026 World Cup
- NPR — Japan and Netherlands 2–2 draw, World Cup opener
- FIFA — Tunisia v Japan 0–4 match centre
- FIFA — Japan v Sweden 1–1 match centre
- FIFA — Brazil v Japan 2–1 match centre, Round of 32
- ESPN — Brazil 2–1 Japan final score, 29 June 2026
- Al Jazeera — Martinelli scores late as Brazil beat Japan 2–1, Japan eliminated from World Cup
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