World Cup Day 19 Preview: Brazil Battles Japan, Netherlands Meets Morocco
World Cup Round of 32 Kicks Off Monday
Three knockout matches will unfold on Monday, June 29, offering plenty of drama and surprises as the 2026 World Cup progresses.
Brazil Faces Japan in Houston at 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
Brazil has a unique place in World Cup history, having competed in every tournament and winning five titles. Yet, recent campaigns have fallen short of their usual high standards. This year, they aim to shift momentum against a disciplined Japan squad known for its tough defense. The Samurai Blue conceded only three goals across three group games despite two draws.
The Brazilians hold a slight advantage, scoring more goals and allowing just two goals during the group stage. Vinicius Jr. leads their attack, tied for third in the Golden Boot race after scoring in all three group matches.
Germany Meets Paraguay in Boston at 4:30 p.m. ET (Fox)
This matchup looks one-sided on paper. Paraguay scraped into the knockouts after a surprising 1-0 win over Türkiye, even while down to 10 men for much of that match. Germany stumbled late in the group stage with a loss to Ecuador but still showed strength earlier with a 7-1 thrashing of Curaçao and a tight 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.
Keep an eye on Deniz Undav, a substitute striker making waves in his first World Cup. Despite never starting, he is Germany's top scorer with three goals and two assists in under 90 minutes of play, an impressive feat that puts him in Golden Boot contention.
Netherlands vs. Morocco in Monterrey at 9 p.m. ET (Fox)
The Netherlands has a history of near misses, reaching three World Cup finals but never winning. This tournament offers another shot at glory. Although not among the top favorites, they rank within the top 10 teams.
Their opener is against a tough Morocco side, which stunned many by reaching the semifinals four years ago and now finished second in their group due to goal difference behind Brazil. The Atlas Lions arrive fired up and ready to challenge the Oranje.
This match promises to be the most balanced of the day, likely delivering an intense contest on the pitch. Off the field, expect a strong Dutch presence in Monterrey as the Oranje Army rallies behind their team.
