Brazil will take on Japan in the Round of 32 to keep their aspirations of winning soccer’s biggest prize, with their game scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, with kick-off at 03:00 AEST.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team finished Group C as winners after winning two of their three games, going undefeated throughout. Hajime Moriyasu’s side finished second in Group D after securing a point against Sweden to give them their place in the next stage of the competition.

To celebrate the momentous occasion that is the World Cup, Sportsbet is bringing back its exclusive Super Sub feature!

How does Super Sub work? Well, it’s very simple. Place a bet on select player markets throughout the Men’s World Cup and if that player is subbed off your bet rolls over to the new player that replaced them.

For example, if you’ve bet on Kylian Mbappe to score during one of France’s matches and during that match he fails to do so and is directly substituted for Jean-Philippe Mateta who ends up scoring instead, your original bet on Mbappe is paid as a winner!

Super Sub is not exclusive to goalscoring markets either, it also applies to anytime assist, player to win one or more fouls, shots on target and more, just make sure to read all the T&Cs before locking in your bet.

Quick Picks

Our pick: Brazil to win

Value bet: Over 2.5 Goals

Long shot: Brazil to win 2-1

Brazil vs Japan prediction

Brazil have been made the pre-match favourites in the moneyline odds for this clash, although that’s not truly surprising. As our Brazil vs Japan betting odds page shows, they have won seven of their nine previous Knockout Stage matches in North America, Central America & the Caribbean.

Japan are a dangerous proposition, though, and punters may feel that there is value in them to spring an upset on a South American side that arguably hasn’t been at their best for a long time.

Nonetheless, after making a slow start against Morocco, the Selecao appear to have found some rhythm, albeit against Haiti and Scotland, two nations many had expected them to overcome.

The Samurai Blue did hold both the Netherlands and Sweden to draws in their group, while defeating Tunisia. Still, this one feels like it could be a challenge too steep for a nation that are arguably missing some of their best players.

Our prediction is for a Brazil win, but don’t be surprised if Japan takes them to extra time.

Brazil vs Japan score prediction

Japan conceded just three goals in the Group Stage, whereas Brazil conceded just once. In contrast, both attacks were potent. The Asian nation netted seven goals, as did the South Americans.

For this reason, we think there’s better value worth exploring in the ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ market. Although defences have been tight, this game comes with the added pressure of winning, otherwise the tournament ends. The 'Over 2.5 Goals' market has hit in each of Brazil's last five Knockout Stage day matches against teams from a different region.

The BTTS also has value of hitting. Brazil may have kept two clean sheets, but they conceded against a side that has comparable quality to Japan in Morocco. Japan conceded in two of their three games against better opponents. The 'Both Teams to Score' market has hit in nine of Japan's last 10 matches in this competition as an underdog.

By extension, long shot value may be found in the 'Both Teams to Score in the First Half' market, as it has hit in three of Japan's last four tournament matches against CONMEBOL nations.

Shorter value can be found in the ‘Over 3.5 Goals’ market, as including qualifiers, the 'Over 3.5 Goals' market has hit in three of Japan's last four competition matches.

Our prediction for the correct score is Brazil to win 2-1.

If you fancy stacking this clash with a few other results, our guide on what a multi bet is is worth a read, and you can scan the latest World Cup betting markets before locking anything in.

Brazil vs Japan team news and line-ups

Predicted Brazil line-up (4-2-3-1): Hugo Souza, Paulo Henrique, Fabricio Bruno, Lucas Beraldo, Carlos Augusto, Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Luiz Henrique, Lucas Paqueta, Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Martinelli.

Ancelotti has chopped and changed his personnel since taking charge, making eight outfield alterations in his most recent outing, so the side could look different again. Raphinha is expected to miss out with a calf injury.

Predicted Japan line-up 3-4-2-1: Zion Suzuki, Shogo Taniguchi, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Junnosuke Suzuki, Takefusa Kubo, Daichi Kamada, Kaishu Sano, Keito Nakamura, Ritsu Doan, Takumi Minamino, Ayase Ueda.

Moriyasu has stuck with his preferred formation throughout a long unbeaten run on home soil. Ko Itakura and Takefusa Kubo are expected to miss out.

Player markets to watch

Vinicius Jr has continued to grow in this tournament, scoring four times so far. He added two more to his tally against Scotland, and should he get space and time on the ball against Japan, he has value to be an anytime goalscorer.

He arguably has better value to be the first goalscorer, as much of Brazil’s attack goes through him.

But one player that could compete against him in this market is Matheus Cunha, with the Man Utd man coming off the back of a goal against Scotland and two against Haiti.

He scored the first goal in the game against Haiti and looked like a constant threat against Scotland as he led the line. If he gets the opportunity to do so again by Ancelotti, he’ll likely be worth value in the anytime goalscorer market.

Japan’s Keito Nakamura may present the best value in the ‘To Score or Assist’ market, as he has one goal and one assist in his three games so far. With Takefusa Kubo’s status questionable, he could be their main threat against Brazil.

Brazil vs Japan Match Details

Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Kick-off: 3:00am AEST.

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston.

Where to watch: Sportsbet, SBS.

Where to Watch Brazil vs Japan

For the first time ever, Sportsbet is offering punters the chance to stream World Cup matches live*.

To watch Sportsbet's live streams of the World Cup, you must:

- Be 18+.

- Have a Sportsbet account.

- Be logged into your Sportsbet account.

- Have a positive balance OR have placed a bet in the last 24 hours.

World Cup streaming is available both in-app and on-web. As long as you meet the above requirements, you'll be able to tune in on your computer, tablet or phone.

To access the stream for Brazil vs Japan simply find your way to the official betting page for this match. Or, if you have a bet on the game you can watch from your "My Bets" section.

Traditional World Cup broadcaster SBS is also showing every World Cup match, meaning you can also watch Brazil vs Japan on either SBS, SBS Viceland or SBS On Demand.

*18+ Available to Sportsbet customers only. Conditions apply – see sportsbet.com.au

*Odds are subject to change.