Japan enter Monday’s round‑of‑32 tie with Brazil without creative lynchpin Takefusa Kubo. The Real Sociedad winger has missed every match since the opening 2‑2 draw with the Netherlands, training only in individual drills during a brief media‑open session. Coach Hajime Moriyasu confirmed Kubo will stay at the Nashville base while the squad travelled to Monterrey and Arlington, leaving the Samurai Blue to adjust.

Moriyasu remains optimistic, insisting Japan can still upset the world‑number‑one side. He pointed to the team’s unexpected progress to the knockout stage and urged players to ‘change history’ with a win. Midfield veteran Maya Yoshida will marshal tempo and craft chances against Brazil’s press. Moriyasu believes a victory would rewrite Japan’s World Cup narrative.

A penalty shoot‑out looms, recalling Japan’s 2022 round‑of‑16 exit to Croatia. Moriyasu said he will select the takers should the match go to kicks, abandoning the volunteer system used previously. A win would also lift Japan’s FIFA ranking. Victory would set up a quarter‑final against the winner of Ivory Coast‑Norway, while defeat ends a historic run that has captured global attention.