Underdogs and Upsets: Can Japan Exploit Brazil's Flaws in the World Cup 2026 Round of 32?

The Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered a blockbuster matchup, with the illustrious Brazil preparing to take on a highly resilient Japan side. Kicking off at 1pm EDT (6pm BST), this knockout clash is theoretically supposed to be a routine passage to the next stage for the Seleção. However, beneath the surface of those famous yellow shirts, lingering tactical doubts are beginning to emerge. Historically, the sheer weight of the Brazil name is often enough to intimidate opponents into submission before the first whistle is even blown. Yet, as the tournament enters its do-or-die phases, the conventional consensus is being boldly challenged. According to reader Richard Hirst, whose insights were highlighted in *Guardian Football*'s live coverage, football fans and pundits alike might be blindly accepting a Brazilian victory based purely on historical reputation rather than current reality. Hirst raises valid, stinging points regarding Brazil’s current tactical setup. He astutely questions whether we would so readily predict a victory for any other team featuring a playmaker who spent the majority of the last grueling domestic campaign failing to prevent West Ham United from a relegation battle. Furthermore, Hirst highlights a glaring lack of mobility in the Brazilian defensive midfield, cheekily comparing the anchor midfielder's agility to that of a stationary traffic cone. These are exactly the types of structural frailties that Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan will look to exploit. The Samurai Blue have built a fearsome reputation on the global stage through a tireless work ethic, ruthless tactical discipline, and a profound ability to disrupt the rhythm of supposedly superior opposition. If Japan can physically impose themselves and aggressively press that sluggish Brazilian midfield—getting "in amongst them," as Hirst puts it—the stage is perfectly set for a monumental World Cup upset. Make no mistake, Brazil still possesses an army of game-changers capable of producing moments of magic out of thin air. But in the high-stakes pressure cooker of a World Cup knockout match, individual brilliance can only paper over the cracks for so long. Will the weight of expectation stifle the Seleção, or will Japan execute their game plan to perfection? We are in for a fascinating tactical battle this afternoon.