Brazil great Zico has backed his homeland ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash against Japan, but warned that the Selecao are walking into a serious knockout test against a side he believes now belongs among the world’s most competitive teams.

Brazil will face Japan in a knockout meeting loaded with personal history for Zico, whose bond with Japanese football stretches back decades. The 73-year-old played for Kashima Antlers and is widely credited, along with his brother Eduardo “Edu” Antunes Coimbra, with helping shape the foundations of modern professional football in Japan.

That connection has made the Brazil-Japan tie more than just another World Cup knockout game for the former Brazil star. In a post shared by Planeta do Futebol on X, Zico admitted that while his support remains with Brazil, a Japan victory would not leave him heartbroken.

“If Brazil wins (against Japan), great, because I'm Brazilian. But if they lose, I won't be sad, no, because in Japanese football there's a little foot of the Coimbra family there,” Zico said.

Zico says Japan ‘play proper football’

Speaking to FIFA ahead of the knockout clash, Zico made it clear that Brazil will have his support, but also underlined the respect he has for Japan’s footballing rise.

“I will be supporting Brazil. After all, I am Brazilian. But if Japan win, so be it. What I do know is that it will be a great match, because Japan play proper football,” Zico said.

Brazil go into the match after sealing their place in the Round of 32 with a 3-0 win over Scotland. Neymar’s successful return has lifted the mood around the squad, while Vinicius Jr and Matheus Cunha have also played important roles in Brazil’s campaign so far.

Japan, meanwhile, finished second in Group F with one win and two draws. The Samurai Blue booked their knockout berth after a 1-1 draw against Sweden and are now chasing a historic breakthrough, having previously reached the last 16 in 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022 without going beyond that stage.

The upcoming meeting will be only the second between Brazil and Japan at a FIFA World Cup. Their previous clash came in Germany in 2006, when Brazil won 4-1 and Zico was in charge of the Japanese national team.

Recalling that emotionally charged match, Zico said his Brazilian identity and his responsibility as Japan coach created a difficult moment before kick-off.

“Of course, it was emotional (the match). I said to the players before the match that I was going to sing the Brazilian anthem before the game, just as I had 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 Selecao in 1970. But it was tough.”

Zico believes Japan are no longer the inexperienced World Cup side they once were. He pointed to the number of Japanese players now competing in Europe’s top leagues as proof of how much the national team has evolved.

“Japan are at a more competitive level now. Their players have been heading to Europe, just like Brazilian and South American players have. Of their 26 players at the World Cup, 23 play in Europe, and they're getting to play in the Bundesliga, in Serie A, in the Premier League,” Zico said.

He also highlighted Yuto Nagatomo’s presence in the squad, calling him an important experienced figure for Japan.

“Of the three who play at home, two are goalkeepers, and the other is Yuto Nagatomo. He is there more as a leader and experienced figure within the squad. It's his fifth World Cup,” he said.

Japan’s recent World Cup exits have been painful, particularly their narrow misses against Belgium in 2018 and Croatia in 2022. But Zico feels those experiences have only strengthened their mentality. He also pointed to Japan’s recent wins over major football nations as evidence that Brazil cannot afford to treat them lightly.

“That is 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,” Zico concluded.

Zico’s legendary career and his deep ties with Japan

Zico, often called the “White Pelé,” is one of the most iconic Brazilian footballers of all time. During his playing career, he represented Brazil in three World Cups (1978, 1982, 1986) and scored 48 goals in 71 appearances for the national team. Known for his incredible free kicks, vision, and playmaking ability, Zico spent the peak of his career at Flamengo, where he won multiple Campeonato Brasileiro titles and the 1981 Copa Libertadores.

After his prime in Brazil, Zico moved to Japan in 1991 to play for the Sumitomo Metals (later Kashima Antlers) in the Japan Soccer League. His arrival marked a turning point for Japanese football. Zico not only brought star power but also a professionalism and technical sophistication that helped lay the groundwork for the J.League’s launch in 1993. Along with his brother Edu, Zico mentored many young Japanese players and helped elevate the sport’s standards.

Following his playing retirement in 1994, Zico became a key figure in Japanese football development. He served as an advisor and later as a consultant, before being appointed head coach of the Japan national team in 2002, succeeding Philippe Troussier. Under Zico, Japan qualified for the 2006 World Cup and reached the knockout stages of the 2004 Asian Cup.

Japan’s rise as a global football force

Japan’s football evolution over the past three decades has been remarkable. Before the J.League era, the national team rarely competed on a global stage. However, the establishment of a professional league, combined with sustained investment in youth development and coaching, transformed Japan into Asia’s most consistent football power.

The Samurai Blue have qualified for every World Cup since 1998, and they have reached the knockout stage in four of those seven editions (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022). In 2018, they came within minutes of defeating Belgium in the Round of 16 before a heartbreaking 3-2 loss. In 2022, they were eliminated by Croatia on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Japan’s current squad boasts a wealth of European experience. Players such as Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), and Wataru Endo (Liverpool) are regulars in top European leagues. This overseas exposure has honed their technical and tactical acumen, making them a far more dangerous opponent than in previous decades.

The team’s recent friendlies and World Cup qualifiers have seen them beat top-tier opponents: they defeated Germany 4-1 in a friendly in 2022, beat Spain 2-1 in the 2022 World Cup group stage, and have also won against England and Brazil in the last four years. These results are not flukes but rather indicators of a deep, well-organized football culture.

Brazil’s path to the Round of 32 and key strengths

Brazil entered the 2026 World Cup as one of the favorites, boasting a star-studded squad led by Neymar, Vinicius Jr, and rising star Endrick. After a dominant group stage, where they topped their group with three wins, Brazil cruised into the Round of 32 with a 3-0 victory over Scotland. Neymar’s return from injury has been a massive boost, as he has already scored twice in the tournament.

Brazil’s attacking options are deep: Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Richarlison, and Gabriel Martinelli provide pace and creativity. In midfield, Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes offer defensive stability and passing range. At the back, Marquinhos and Éder Militão anchor a defense that has conceded only once in the group stage.

However, Brazil’s recent World Cup history shows vulnerability. In 2022, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Croatia on penalties. In 2018, they lost to Belgium in the quarterfinals. The Selecao have not won the World Cup since 2002, and there is pressure on this generation to end that drought.

Tactical analysis: Brazil vs Japan

This Round of 32 clash presents fascinating tactical questions. Brazil will likely dominate possession, using Neymar and Vinicius Jr to unlock Japan’s compact defense. Japan, under manager Hajime Moriyasu, typically sets up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, pressing high and looking to transition quickly. Their defensive organization is superb, as shown in their draws against top teams.

The key battle will be in midfield: Brazil’s creative players against Japan’s disciplined holding midfielders like Wataru Endo. If Japan can disrupt Brazil’s rhythm and force turnovers, their fast attackers like Mitoma and Kubo can exploit space behind Brazil’s full-backs.

Set pieces could also be decisive. Brazil’s aerial strength, with players like Marquinhos and Richarlison, contrasts with Japan’s typically shorter stature, though Japan has improved in set-piece defending.

Zico’s legacy and the emotional tie

For Zico, this match is deeply personal. He is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer in World Cups for a time and remains a national hero. Yet his love for Japan is equally profound. He has often said that Japan gave him a second football life after his playing career in Brazil ended. His work with Kashima Antlers and the national team helped professionalize the sport in Japan, and he is revered there as a football pioneer.

Zico’s comments serve as a reminder of how far Japan has come. In 2006, when he coached Japan against Brazil, the gulf in class was clear. Now, the gap has narrowed significantly. Brazil cannot afford to underestimate Japan, as the Samurai Blue have proven they can defeat the world’s best.

As the two teams prepare to meet in the World Cup 2026 Round of 32, the football world will watch with fascination. For Zico, no matter the outcome, he will feel a sense of pride. But for Brazil and Japan, the stakes are immense: a place in the quarterfinals and a chance to write a new chapter in World Cup history.

Source:MSN News