Brazil appear to have rediscovered their rhythm just before the knockouts as the five-time champions will look to overcome their first knockout hurdle at the FIFA World Cup 2026 when they take on a spirited Japan in a Round of 32 clash in Houston on Monday night.

Saudi Arabia finished bottom of Group H with two points, after two draws against Uruguay (1–1) and Cape Verde (0–0), and a heavy 4–0 defeat to Spain.

The online critique that a better keeper stops the shot fundamentally barks up the wrong tree.

His father and brother also travelled from Argentina to assist firefighters, military personnel and volunteers searching through the debris.

Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil have grown into this World Cup with every passing game, but as the tournament enters its knockout phase, there is little room for error. The Selecao face arguably their toughest challenge yet when they take on an impressive Japan side in tonight's Round of 32 clash in Houston.

Hong was appointed in July 2024 as the long-term replacement for Juergen Klinsmann and steered the country to an 11th successive World Cup appearance.

Japan are nevertheless the clear underdogs going into this match. They finished second to Netherlands in Group F with a win over overmatched Tunisia and two draws. They don't have the history that Brazil can boast, but Japan have qualified for the knockouts at three straight World Cups and four of the past five, though never advancing past the round of 16.

The South Americans bounced back from losing 4-1 to co-hosts the United States in their opening game to progress beyond the group stages at a World Cup for the first time since 2002 as one of the best third-placed sides.

Canada will now face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the last 16, but Davies believes his side can continue to surprise.

Neymar has been working his way back to fitness from a calf injury and managed a little over 15 minutes in the 3-0 victory over Scotland last time out.

He came on for a cameo appearance, playing just 36 minutes. Yet that was all he needed to steal the spotlight.

The 25-year-old trained separately from the squad during Sunday's session that was open to the media, but Moriyasu later dispelled any hopes of the winger featuring against the five-time world champions.

Eustaquio lost both of his parents in little more than a year, his mother in April 2023 and his father in May 2024.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti is hopeful he will have Neymar available for more minutes in Monday's World Cup round of 32 fixture against Japan in Houston, and believes his Brazil side are ready for anything in what will be a tough knockout fixture.

Stephen Eustaquio's stoppage-time winner fired Canada to a 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday in the first match of the World Cup knockout rounds, as the co-hosts advance to the last 16 for the first time in their history.

Some of the country's most respected football figures have urged stakeholders to use the renewed public interest to revive the nation's football through long-term planning, improved infrastructure and collective responsibility.

England got the job done, but they will not earn extra points for style after a grafting 2-0 victory over Panama in their final Group L match at the FIFA World Cup in New Jersey yesterday.

From late-game rescue acts to the raw, unbridled euphoria of supporters living out a dream, the opening phase perfectly encapsulated the unpredictable spirit of the game.

Uzbekistan manager Fabio Cannavaro knows all about the beauty of the World Cup, having led Italy to success as captain, but after seeing his side lose all three games and exit the tournament, he reminded people of his warning about how brutal it can be.

No side has suffered more at Neymar’s hands. He has scored nine goals against Japan, with Peru (six) next on his list, followed by Bolivia, Ecuador and the USA (five each).