Brazil's head coach Carlo Ancelotti has named an unchanged starting eleven for the round‑of‑32 clash with Japan, signalling his confidence in the side that topped Group G.
The only forced change sees forward Rayan stepping in for the injured Raphinha, who has been ruled out with a muscle injury.
Neymar, still nursing a calf strain, will again start on the bench, leaving the attacking responsibilities to Vinicius Jr. and Matheus Cunha.
Japan's coach Hajime Moriyasu has made four alterations to his lineup after a 1‑1 draw with Sweden that secured second place in Group F, and the team will line up with a five‑man defensive scheme.
Five‑Man Defence Takes Shape
The new backline, featuring Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu, aims to add stability after a period of defensive inconsistency.
Midfielder Takefusa Kubo, a creative spark for Japan, will be unavailable for selection due to an ankle injury, further testing the squad's depth.
With both sides eager to advance, the match promises a tactical battle, as Brazil looks to extend its tournament run while Japan hopes its revised formation can unlock a pathway to the next round.