Japan's 3-2 friendly win over Brazil on Saturday, 14 November 2026, was only the second time the Samurai Blue have beaten the five-time world champions in 16 meetings. For a fixture that has been dominated by Brazil for decades, Japan have now won two of the last three encounters — both by the same 3-2 scoreline.
Japan vs Brazil: Head-to-Head Record
| Meetings | Japan wins | Draws | Brazil wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
Before October 2025, Japan had never beaten Brazil at senior level in 14 meetings. The breakthrough came in Tokyo in October 2025, when Japan came from two goals down at half-time to win a friendly 3-2, with Ayase Ueda scoring the winner and Keito Nakamura also on the scoresheet that night. That result ended decades of Brazilian dominance in the fixture — and it clearly changed the dynamic between the teams.
Brazil hit back at the next meeting. At the 2026 World Cup in June, Brazil knocked Japan out in the round of 32 in Houston, coming from behind to win 2-1 after Japan had scored first, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring the winner in stoppage time. Japan's win in Singapore on 14 November 2026 was, therefore, revenge as well as a record — Tatsuhiro Sakamoto's 91st-minute goal settling a match in which Japan had led 2-0 through Takefusa Kubo and Nakamura, before Vinicius Junior's brace levelled it at 2-2.
The rankings still favour Brazil: the Selecao are ranked sixth in the world by FIFA, while Japan are 17th. But recent form tells a different story. Japan have lost only one of their last 15 internationals — the World Cup defeat to Brazil — and are unbeaten in four matches since the tournament, beating Uruguay, Venezuela and New Zealand and winning a penalty shootout against Ecuador after a goalless draw.
What Is the Mizuho Blue Challenge?
Saturday's match was part of the Mizuho Blue Challenge, a four-nation international football showcase held at Singapore's National Stadium, featuring Japan, Brazil, Paraguay and Singapore. Both teams have one more match in the tournament: Japan face Paraguay on Tuesday, 17 November, while Brazil take on hosts Singapore the same day in the first senior meeting between the two sides. Both matches are again at the National Stadium.
Moriyasu's Farewell Tour
The Singapore matches are also the final two games of Hajime Moriyasu's eight-plus years in charge of Japan. The Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, originally scheduled for early 2027, has been pushed back to December 2027, and a friendly planned for 30 December in Osaka was cancelled following that postponement. Moriyasu will want to sign off with wins — and after beating Brazil, his side will be favourites against Paraguay.
Japan vs Brazil: Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Japan vs Brazil played? At the National Stadium in Singapore, as part of the Mizuho Blue Challenge.
What was the score? Japan won 3-2. Kubo (15'), Nakamura (19') and Sakamoto (90+1') scored for Japan; Vinicius Junior scored twice for Brazil (33', 75').
Has Japan ever beaten Brazil before? Yes — twice now. The first win came in a friendly in Tokyo in October 2025, also 3-2. Before that, Japan had never beaten Brazil in 14 meetings.
When do Japan and Brazil next play? Japan face Paraguay and Brazil face Singapore, both on Tuesday, 17 November 2026, at the National Stadium in Singapore.
Why did the match end with red cards? Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti and captain Raphinha were both sent off in stoppage time as Brazil protested a possible foul on Joao Gomes in the build-up to Sakamoto's winning goal.