Japan coach Moriyasu confident ahead of Brazil knockout clash

Hajime Moriyasu wants Brazil to know something: Japan isn’t here to make up the numbers. Ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup round-of-32 clash in Houston, Texas, the veteran coach made it clear his squad won’t roll over for one of football’s most storied programs.

From Group F survivor to Brazil’s next problem

Japan punched its ticket to the knockout stage after a 1-1 draw against Sweden on June 25, 2026. That result was enough to seal second place in Group F, sending Japan through to face Brazil on Monday, June 26 in Houston.

It marks the third consecutive World Cup edition in which Japan has advanced beyond the group stage.

Moriyasu described Brazil as a “serious” opponent and framed the fixture as something more than just a game to survive.

“This is an extremely good experience for the development of Japanese soccer.”

The Moriyasu era: building something real

Moriyasu has been at the helm since July 2018. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Japan produced two of the tournament’s most memorable upsets, defeating both Germany and Spain in the group stage. The 2022 run ultimately ended in the round of 16 against Croatia on penalties.

Meanwhile, crypto tried to make this a thing

A Solana-based token called $MORIYASU has surfaced in crypto circles. It has no official connection to the Japanese national team, Moriyasu himself, or the 2026 World Cup in any capacity. The token carries no significant market weight, and there has been minimal engagement in crypto-native discussions around the World Cup matchup more broadly.

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