The Brazil national team may face a tougher challenge in the World Cup. Takefusa Kubo, Japan's midfielder, has resumed training with the ball and increased his chances of playing against Brazil on Monday.

What happened?

Kubo was out of Japan's last two matches due to an injury to his left knee, but returned to training on Friday. He got injured in the World Cup opener against the Netherlands.

Why it matters for Brazil?

Kubo's presence against the Brazil national team is not certain, but the training sessions have raised the hopes of the fans. Takefusa plays both as a midfielder and a forward and is considered one of the great stars of his generation.

What comes next?

The Brazil national team will play against Japan on Monday at 14h in Houston. Brazil's last match was a 1-1 draw against Tunisia on November 18, 2025. The team's recent form is 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in the last 4 games.

DateOpponentResult
November 18, 2025Tunisia1-1
June 21, 2026Tunisia0-4 (Japan)
June 25, 2026Sweden1-1 (Japan)