Live: Brazil takes on Japan in tasty last-32 clash in Houston

live World Cup live updates: Brazil vs Japan, Germany vs Paraguay, Netherlands vs Morocco, Round of 32 Brazil and Japan meet in a mouth-watering round of 32 clash at Houston Stadium. Later, Germany meets Paraguay and Netherlands take on Morocco. Meanwhile, Sam Kerr has signed with US National Women's Soccer League club, Gotham FC, following her exit from London club Chelsea. - Check out the full World Cup schedule here in Australian times - ABC Sport podcast: Check out the latest episode here Follow all the action in our live blog. Submit a comment or question Live updates New: Filters Choose what information you see below by using filters Tue 30 Jun 2026 at 2:45am How Japan got here Japan qualified for the knockout stages as runners up in Group F. The Samurai Blue began its tournament with an entertaining 2-2 draw with the Netherlands, before belting a terrible Tunisia side 4-0 and finishing with a 1-1 stalemate with Sweden. Japan was very impressive throughout the group stage, and was pretty unlucky to have its efforts rewarded by a round of 32 clash with five-time winners Brazil. Tue 30 Jun 2026 at 2:42am Close ties on and off the football pitch for Japan and Brazil AP These countries have extremely strong ties with Brazil being home to about 2.7 million Japanese descendants, which is the largest Japanese population outside of Japan. Those ties extend to soccer where Brazilian superstar Zico moved to Japan in 1991 to play for the Kashima Antlers and help build Japan’s professional soccer network. He managed the Japan national team from 2002-06, leading the team to the World Cup in 2006. It was in that World Cup where these teams had their first and only meeting in the tournament with Brazil notching a 4-1 victory. Brazil leads the overall series with 11 wins. The teams have played to two draws and Japan collected its first-ever win over Brazil in a friendly in Tokyo in October. Japan trailed 2-0 at halftime before rallying for the 3-2 victory. Coach Hajime Moriyasu thinks that win will impact how Brazil approaches his team Monday. “They will be so much more motivated to play against us,” he said. “They are intent on winning against us. Because of that we feel that the match will be very intense.” The winner will face the winner of Ivory Coast-Norway on July 5 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tue 30 Jun 2026 at 2:41am Japan without star player Kubo With Reuters Japan won't have star winger Takefusa Kubo today. Kubo suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee during Japan's tournament opener against the Netherlands on June 14. He was held out of the Samurai Blue's remaining group-stage matches against Tunisia and Sweden as he rehabbed his knee. Kubo — nicknamed "the Japanese Messi" — trained separately from his teammates on Sunday in the portion of practice open to media. But coach Hajime Moriyasu removed any question about Kubo's status later in the day. "He's still only doing individual running (and) training, so he's not going to play in the match against Brazil," Moriyasu said. "We really wish for him to recover swiftly, and he wishes it, too." Japan was still able to finish second in Group F without Kubo's services to secure advancement. They have reached the knockouts in three straight World Cups and four of the past five, but Brazil represents a major challenge. "Brazil are always a leading team," Moriyasu said. "They have a very good chance of winning. Some people will say Japan are underdogs. We will play with that in mind. "We will respect the opponents but like last year (in the friendly win) we weren't given a chance to win. This possibility to win — we can change history." Key Event Tue 30 Jun 2026 at 2:39am Japan team news Four changes for Japan from their last group-stage match, with Takehiro Tomiyasu's return a big plus for the Samurai Blue. Tomiyasu looks likely to play as a wide central defender in a back three. Kaishu Sano will slot into central midfield, with Ao Tanaka dropping out. Key Event Tue 30 Jun 2026 at 2:35am Brazil unchanged Brazil's veteran manager Carlo Ancelotti names an unchanged side to the one that dispatched of Haiti 3-0 in its final group game. It's Vini Junior to continue as the main man in the forward line, with teenage sensation Rayan continuing alongside him. National team legend Neyman is good for a spot on the bench. They will line up in a 4-3-3 with Manchester United's Casemiro anchoring the midfield. Key Event Tue 30 Jun 2026 at 2:32am Welcome! Good morning, everyone! I hope you're warm and snug and I hope the coffee is strong as we sink our teeth into a massive day of World Cup action. First up, it's arguably the match of the round in Houston, with Brazil and Japan facing off in a seismic clash. Then, Paraguay will be hoping for an upset against Germany in Boston, before the Netherlands and Morocco lock horns in Monterey. My name's Henry and it's a pleasure to be here.