Brazil legend Zico has warned the Seleção not to underestimate Japan ahead of their FIFA 2026 World Cup Round of 32 clash, insisting the Samurai Blue have developed into one of the world’s most competitive teams.
- +Zico sends Brazil warning ahead of high-stake World Cup clash with Japan
Speaking to FIFA, the former Brazil playmaker, who also coached Japan and enjoyed a successful spell with Kashima Antlers, said Brazil face a much stronger Japanese side than the one they defeated at the 2006 World Cup.
Speaking to FIFA, the former Brazil playmaker, who also coached Japan and enjoyed a successful spell with Kashima Antlers, said Brazil face a much stronger Japanese side than the one they defeated at the 2006 World Cup.
“I’ll be supporting Brazil. After all, I am Brazilian,” Zico said.
“But if Japan win, so be it. What I do know is that it will be a great match, because Japan play proper football.”
The upcoming encounter will be only the second World Cup meeting between Brazil and Japan. Their first came in the final group-stage match of the 2006 tournament, when Brazil claimed a 4-1 victory with Zico in charge of the Japanese national team.
“Of course, it was emotional,” he recalled.
“I said to the players before the match that I was going to sing the Brazilian anthem before the game, just as I’d been taught at school, but as soon as the first ball was kicked, I was with Japan all the way.
“I remember thinking about Didi, who won two World Cups with Brazil and coached Peru against the Seleção in 1970. But it was tough.”
Zico believes Japan have improved dramatically over the past two decades, largely due to the growing number of players competing in Europe’s top leagues.
“Japan are at a more competitive level now. Their players have been heading to Europe, just like Brazilian and South American players did,” he said.
“Of their 26 players at the World Cup, 23 play in Europe, and they’re getting to play in the Bundesliga, Serie A and the Premier League.
“Of the three who play at home, two are goalkeepers, and the other is Yuto Nagatomo. He’s there more as a leader and experienced figure within the squad. It’s his fifth World Cup.”
Japan have reached the knockout stage at each of the last two World Cups but narrowly missed out on a historic quarter-final appearance.
In 2018, they surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 against Belgium, while in 2022 they were eliminated by Croatia on penalties after taking the lead.
Those campaigns convinced Zico that Japan are now capable of competing with any nation.
“That could only have happened to me, couldn’t it?” he joked when reminded that Japan narrowly missed facing Brazil again in previous tournaments.
“But those campaigns show how far Japan have come. That’s the World Cup for you. Japan are prepared to face anyone.
“Over the past few years, they have beaten Brazil, Germany, Spain and England. They really are ready for whatever comes their way.”
According to Zico, Japan’s biggest improvement has been psychological rather than technical.
“Of course, the team has improved tactically, but the bigger issue for Japan was always psychological,” he explained.
“They now know how to deal with adversity and can respond when they fall behind.”
Brazil, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, head into the knockout tie as favourites, but Zico believes Japan possess the quality, experience and mentality to pose a serious threat to the five-time world champions.
