Vinícius Júnior finished Brazil’s 2026 World Cup run with four goals, before the five-time champions were eliminated by Norway in the Round of 16. He is tied for fourth in the race for the Golden Boot, behind the leaders.
Here is where his tournament finished, how Brazil’s knockout run went, and how to follow the team through July.
Vinícius carried Brazil’s group stage campaign
Vinícius scored in every Group C match, against Morocco, Haiti and Scotland, a feat that puts him in rare company. He is only the fifth Brazilian to score in all three group games at a World Cup.
The others are Jairzinho (1970), Romário (1994), and Ronaldo and Rivaldo (both 2002) — and Brazil won the trophy each of those years. Brazil topped Group C on the back of that form.
Why Vinícius looks transformed under Ancelotti
Vinícius has been a different player for Brazil since Carlo Ancelotti, his former Real Madrid boss, took charge of the national team in 2025. Ancelotti has since signed a contract extension with the CBF through 2030.
Under previous coaches Vinícius managed just six goals in 39 caps, but he has scored seven times in 13 games under Ancelotti. Brazil arrived at the tournament under pressure to convert club-level talent into results, and Vinícius has answered with goals in every group game.
Neymar’s long-awaited return
Neymar missed Brazil’s first two group games with a grade-2 calf injury sustained in May, but recovered in time to feature at the tournament. He came on as a substitute against Scotland for around 14 minutes, his first Brazil appearance since 2023.
He was an unused substitute in Brazil’s Round of 32 win over Japan, then scored Brazil’s stoppage-time goal in the Round of 16 loss to Norway.
Brazil’s Round of 32: a scare against Japan
Brazil needed a stoppage-time winner to beat Japan 2-1 in the Round of 32 on 29 June at NRG Stadium in Houston. Vinícius did not add to his tally, though he hit the post and was denied by goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Japan led through Kaishu Sano before Casemiro equalised, and Gabriel Martinelli struck in the sixth minute of stoppage time to send Brazil through. It was a far closer contest than the group stage form suggested.
- Scorers: Sano 29′ (Japan), Casemiro 56′ (assist Gabriel Magalhães), Martinelli 90+6′.
- Vinícius: No goal or assist, but hit the woodwork and tested Suzuki repeatedly.
- Result: Brazil 2-1 Japan, progressing to the Round of 16.
Brazil’s Round of 16 loss to Norway at MetLife Stadium
Brazil lost 2-1 to Norway in the Round of 16 on Sunday, 5 July at MetLife Stadium near New York. Erling Haaland scored twice for Norway, while Neymar scored Brazil’s late consolation.
The defeat denied Vinícius and Ancelotti’s side a first quarter-final since 2018. Search flights to New York and browse hotels in New York for the host city.
The Golden Boot race so far
Vinícius sits level with Ousmane Dembélé on four goals, behind Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi in the standings.
- 7 goals: Erling Haaland
- 6 goals: Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi
- 4 goals: Vinícius Júnior, Ousmane Dembélé
Following Brazil across the World Cup host cities
Brazil’s knockout run took them from Houston to the New York area, where Norway ended their campaign. If you’re planning to travel for a later-round match, build in time for visas and long-haul connections from the Gulf and South Asia.
Major carriers serving US host cities from the region include:
- Emirates: Daily flights from Dubai to several US gateways — track schedules via Emirates flight tracking.
- Qatar Airways: Wide US network from Doha — see Qatar Airways flight tracking.
- Etihad Airways: Abu Dhabi connections to the US via Etihad flight tracking.
You can compare fares for flights to Houston and flights to New York on Wego, and check live arrival and departure status with the Wego flight tracker. For stays close to the action, browse hotels in Houston and hotels in New York early, as host-city rooms fill fast on match days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many goals has Vinícius Júnior scored at the 2026 World Cup?
He scored four goals — one in each group game against Morocco, Haiti and Scotland. He did not add to that total in Brazil’s knockout matches against Japan and Norway.
When is Brazil’s next World Cup match?
Brazil do not have another match at the 2026 World Cup. Norway eliminated them 2-1 in the Round of 16 on Sunday, 5 July at MetLife Stadium near New York.
Who did Brazil face in the Round of 32?
Brazil beat Japan 2-1 at NRG Stadium in Houston on 29 June, needing a stoppage-time winner from Gabriel Martinelli.
Did Neymar play for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. He returned from a calf injury to come on as a substitute against Scotland, his first Brazil appearance since 2023, did not feature against Japan, and scored Brazil’s late goal against Norway.
Sources
- ESPN — Vinícius Júnior leads Brazil rout of Scotland to top group
- NBC News — Vinícius Júnior scores 2 goals as Brazil beats Scotland 3-0
- France 24 — Vinicius Junior scores twice as Brazil beat Scotland to reach last 32
- Al Jazeera — Martinelli scores late as Brazil beat Japan 2-1, enter last 16
- ESPN — Brazil avoid World Cup shock with late win over Japan
- Goal.com — Brazil vs Norway, Round of 16 preview
- Al Jazeera — Neymar will not play in Brazil’s match against Haiti due to injury
- Sports Illustrated — Will Neymar play for Brazil vs Japan?
- FIFA — Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil’s head coach
- Goal.com — 2026 World Cup Golden Boot standings
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