Ladbrokes previews Brazil vs Japan in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, with bet builder tips
Brazil backed to qualify for the Round of 16 after an entertaining affair in Texas
Over 3.5 goals tipped, with Ladbrokes predicting a strike inside the first 15 minutes
Ladbrokes brings you an in-depth match preview for Brazil vs Japan in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, including odds, predictions, and bet builder tips.
A hugely intriguing knockout tie awaits in Texas, as Brazil are rewarded for finishing top of Group C with a tie against Group F runners-up Japan, as two of the tournament's most fluid, eye-catching frontlines go head-to-head. The winner will face either Ivory Coast, Norway, or France in a blockbuster last-16 clash - but will it be Carlo Ancelotti's Selecao or Hajime Moriyasu's Samurai Blue who get there?
Below, we've put together the ultimate Brazil vs Japan bet builder, with potential starting lineups, our score prediction, and the latest live betting markets - so read on!
Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson / Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas Santos / Guimaraes, Casemiro / Raphinha, Paqueta, Vinicius Jr / Cunha
Japan
Our predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Suzuki / Watanabe, Taniguchi, Ito / Sugawara, Tanaka, Kamada, Nakamura / Doan, Maeda / Ueda
Brazil vs Japan: Bet builder tips
Both teams to score in Brazil vs Japan
On a day where we're expecting the attacking quality to steal all the headlines, we're backing both nations to have their moment in this Round-of-32 clash, with BTTS being the first pick of our Brazil vs Japan bet builder.
Neither side has failed to score in a game since September 2025, so goals are very much the order of the day in Texas, with both teams finding the net seven times across their three group games. With Brazil firmly among the favourites to go all the way this summer, we highly expect the likes of Golden Boot contenders Vinicius Jr and Matheus Cunha to give their opponents a fright, but with Japan averaging just under 10 shots per game in Group F, there's certainly no shortage of attacking threat from them either.
So both teams to score seems a reasonable bet here, with defences having a busy day at both ends of the pitch.
Over 3.5 goals to be scored in the match
If the last meeting between these two teams is anything to go by, then we should be in for a stormer in the Round of 32, with the friendly match between Brazil and Japan in October featuring five goals - so we're tipping over 3.5 goals in this one.
In Group C, Brazil scored three goals themselves against both Scotland and Haiti, so there's no question that they have what it takes to find the net on multiple occasions - but can Japan contribute to a high-scoring affair? In short, yes, as two of Japan's three Group F games featured over 3.5 goals. Hajime Moriyasu's side don't tend to need too many chances before finding their feet, and with the standout names for both nations coming at the top end of the pitch, we're expecting another goal-laden contest.
So our experts are tipping over 3.5 goals in Brazil vs Japan, to go along with our predicted scoreline of 3-1 to the Selecao.
At least one goal to be scored in the opening 15 minutes
If there's one thing we've learned about Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, it's that they love a first half goal, and with Japan scoring inside five minutes against Tunisia, we can see this one starting fast - so Ladbrokes is backing a goal to be scored in the opening 15 minutes.
The World Cup has already broken plenty of records, including becoming the highest scoring World Cup of all time, and we wouldn't be surprised to see records fall regarding early goals either - especially with games now being split in four. Teams may well be looking to get their noses in front before the first hydration break, stealing an early advantage before the conditions really start to play their part, and in such a high-stakes affair, getting an early goal can be an all-important nerve settler.
So we're sticking our neck out and saying there will be over 0.5 goals in the opening 15 minutes of this one, with a fast start potentially setting the tone for an excellent watch.
Brazil to beat Japan and qualify for the Round of 16
Wrapping up our Brazil vs Japan preview and predictions, we're tipping the Selecao to get the better of their entertaining opponents, with the South Americans reaching the last 16 for the 11th consecutive World Cup.
After drawing with Morocco in their opening group match, Carlo Ancelotti's men really showed their class against Haiti and Scotland with back-to-back 3-0 wins, extending their unbeaten run to six games and building the perfect momentum to take on Japan - who drew two of their games in Group F. Hajime Moriyasu's side have actually only lost one match since June 2025, and even beat Brazil in that friendly in October, but their unconvincing performance against Sweden has meant Brazil come into this one as firm favourites.
You can bet on each of these markets individually, or combine them to create a Brazil vs Japan Bet Builder. Plus, with Bet Builder+, you can combine your bet not only with other World Cup matches, but also with different sports.
Brazil vs Japan takes place on Monday, 29 June, with kick-off for the Round-of-32 match scheduled for 18:00 BST.
How can I watch Brazil vs Japan at the World Cup?
The World Cup match, Brazil vs Japan, will be shown live on either BBC or ITV for UK viewers.
Can you bet on Brazil vs Japan?
Ladbrokes are offering customers the chance to bet on a number of Brazil vs Japan markets, including match result, both teams to score, and over/under total goals.
