While you slept
Japan's 2026 tournament ended overnight. In the Round of 32 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Sano Kaito put Japan in front in the 29th minute with his first goal for the national team. Casemiro equalised in the 56th, and in second-half stoppage time, in the 90+6th minute, Gabriel Martinelli buried the winner. Japan, who came through Group F as unbeaten runners-up on five points, pushed the five-time champions past 90 minutes before being undone right at the end. The full story of the match is in a separate article.
Into a tournament without Japan
From today there are no more Japan matches; the North American World Cup ends here for Moriyasu's side. The team that beat them, five-time champions Brazil, move into the last 16. Japan's tournament is over, but the path of the side that knocked them out can still be followed from here.
What to watch from here (JST)
The Round of 32 is not finished. With Japan out, there are still matches in the early hours today and tomorrow, running through 3 July at three a day, until the sixteen winners complete the last 16. Brazil, who knocked Japan out, play the winner of Ivory Coast vs Norway in the Round of 16 on 5 July.
Related Links
Links for readers who want to check tournament format, fixtures, venues, and related details.
