Tokyo, Japan – In a highly anticipated international friendly, Brazil faced off against Japan at the Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The match, a part of both teams' preparations for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, saw Brazil aiming to continue their winning momentum after a dominant 5-0 victory over South Korea, while Japan looked to find their form after a recent draw against Paraguay.
The Seleção, led by Carlo Ancelotti, featured a starting lineup with Real Madrid stars Vinícius Júnior and Casemiro. Ancelotti, who is looking to build his Brazil team around Vinícius Jr., deployed him as a key figure in the attack. The lineup also included Hugo Souza, Paulo Henrique, Fabrício Bruno, Lucas Beraldo, Carlos Augusto, Bruno Guimarães, Lucas Paquetá, Luiz Henrique, and Gabriel Martinelli. Ancelotti opted for a 4-3-3 formation, a change from the 4-2-4 used against South Korea.
Japan, coached by Hajime Moriyasu, fielded a team including K. Suzuki, J. Suzuki, Taniguchi, Watanabe, Doan, Kamada, Sano, Nakamura, Minamino, Kubo and Ueda. Moriyasu is expected to stick with his preferred 4-2-3-1 system, focusing on midfield control and utilizing wing play.
Brazil has historically dominated the head-to-head record against Japan, with Japan yet to record a victory. In their last five encounters, Brazil has emerged victorious in all. The most recent match between the two sides was on June 6, 2022, where Brazil won 1-0.
Vinícius Júnior, a key player for both Real Madrid and Brazil, is known for his pace, technique, and dribbling ability. Casemiro, the experienced Manchester United midfielder, brings stability and leadership to the Brazilian midfield. Both players are vital components of Ancelotti's squad as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. local time in Tokyo. Brazil is using this friendly as an opportunity to experiment with different systems and evaluate players as they build towards the World Cup. Ancelotti emphasized the importance of having a versatile team that can adapt to different situations.
Japan, already qualified for the World Cup as one of the first nations from the AFC, aimed to test themselves against a strong Brazilian side and improve their form. The Samurai Blue had a 20-game unbeaten streak at home.
Brazil having secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup, will continue their preparations with friendlies scheduled against Senegal and Tunisia in November. A match against France is also planned for March 2026.
