Five-time world champions Brazil arrive in Japan oozing confidence after defeating South Korea 5-0 in Seoul, where the Selecao attack flowed with precision and ease.
Esteban and Rodrygo each scored twice while Vinicius Junior completed the rout as Carlo Ancelotti’s side reminded everyone of the their talent and class.
Their next challenge brings nostalgia because Japan host them on the same soil where Brazil lifted the 2002 World Cup. That memory alone gives this friendly a deeper meaning for Ancelotti’s side ahead of 2026.
But the game won't be an easy one, with Japan unbeaten in their past fourteen outings at home. They also finished their World Cup qualifying campaign top of Group C.
The Samurai Blue recently showed their quality again in a 2-2 draw against Paraguay where Ritsu Doan led an energetic attack that pressed relentlessly.
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Japan vs. Brazil lineups: Starting XI, team news, rosters
Hajime Moriyasu sticks with his 3-4-2-1 formation against Brazil and is trusting the core of players who have guided the team through an unbeaten home run of fourteen matches.
Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki continues between the posts, while Shogo Taniguchi comes in to join Tsuyoshi Watanabe and Junnosuke Suzuki in the back three.
Takefusa Kubo lines up on the right of midfield, with Keito Nakamura on the left. Kaishu Sano and Daichi Kamada are expected to control the central areas with quick distribution and pressing energy.
Takumi Minamino and Ritsu Doan will act as creative link players supporting striker Ayase Ueda.
Liverpool's Wataru Endo, Celtic's Daizen Maeda, and Ajax defender Ko Itakura were initially in the squad, but all three withdrew due to injury. Daiki Hashioka was added as a replacement.
Japan starting lineup (3-4-2-1, right to left): Suzuki (GK) — Taniguchi, Watanabe, J. Suzuki — Kubo, Kamada, Sano, Nakamura — Doan, Minamino — Ueda
Japan subs: Hashioka, Nagatamo, Fujita, Soma, Machino, Osako, Ito, Ando, Tanaka, Ogawa, Seko, Hayakawa, Saito, Mochizuki
Japan full roster
Goalkeepers: Zion Suzuki, Keisuke Osako, Tomoki Hayakawa
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Shogo Taniguchi, Ayumu Seko, Tsuyoshi Wantanabe, Tomoya Ando, Junnosuke Suzuki, Daiki Hashioka
Midfielders: Takumi Minamino, Junya Ito, Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo, Daichi Kamada, Keito Nakamura, Yuki Soma, Kaishu Sano, Joel Chima Fujita, Henry Heroki Mochizuki, Koki Saito, Ao Tanaka
Forwards: Ayase Ueda, Shuto Machino, Koki Ogawa.
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Globo had predicted the lineup could be the same as the South Korea game except for the goalkeeper, with Hugo Souza of Corinthians given a chance as Ancelotti reportedly wants a penalty specialist in his roster for next summer.
While that change in goal was correct, Ancelotti also made eight alterations to his outfield starting lineup. A complete overhaul of the back four sees Paulo Henrique, Fabricio Bruno, Lucas Beraldo and Carlos Augusto come in, with the screen of Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes retained.
In attack, Vinicius Junior keeps his place, but Luiz Henrique and Lucas Paqueta come in for Estevao and Rodrygo. There's also a start at centre-forward for Gabriel Martinelli, who replaces Matheus Cunha.
Brazil starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Hugo Souza (GK) — Paulo Henrique, Bruno, Beraldo, Carlos Augusto — Guimaraes, Casemiro — Luiz Henrique, Paqueta, Vinicius — Martinelli
Brazil subs: John Victor, Ederson, Vanderson, Caio Henrique, Vitinho, Gabriel, Militao, Douglas Santos, Rodrygo, Estevao, Cunha, Andre, Joao Gomes, Joelinton, Richarlison, Igor Thiago
Brazil full roster
Goalkeepers: Bento, Ederson, Hugo Souza
Defenders: Caio Henrique, Carlos Augusto, Douglas Santos, Eder Militao, Fabricio Bruno, Gabriel Magalhaes, Beraldo, Vanderson, Wesley
Midfielders: Andre, Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Joao Gomes, Joelinton, Lucas Paqueta
Forwards: Estevao, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Jesus, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, Richarlison, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior.
Japan vs. Brazil match details
- Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2025
- Kickoff time: 7:30 p.m. local / 11:30 a.m. BST
- Location: Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo (Japan)
- Competition: International Friendly
- Referee: Kim Jong-hyeok (KOR)