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Brazil vs Japan at the 2026 World Cup: kickoff time and where to watch the Round of 32

June 28, 2026

Brazil have reached the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup and face Japan on Monday, June 29, at NRG Stadium in Houston, USA. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. Eastern Time (noon local in Houston). If you're following from abroad, have family in another country, or simply want to catch every minute, knowing the exact local time matters — this guide converts it for the major cities around the world.

What time is Brazil vs Japan in the 2026 World Cup?

Brazil kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Monday, June 29, 2026. Because the match is in Houston, on US Central Time, the local kickoff is noon. Full conversion below:

CityTimeDay
Houston (host)12 p.m.Mon, Jun 29
New York1 p.m.Mon, Jun 29
São Paulo2 p.m.Mon, Jun 29
London6 p.m.Mon, Jun 29
Lisbon6 p.m.Mon, Jun 29
Paris7 p.m.Mon, Jun 29
Dubai9 p.m.Mon, Jun 29
Tokyo2 a.m.Tue, Jun 30

In New York the match starts at 1 p.m., a comfortable early-afternoon slot. In Japan, however, it kicks off at 2 a.m. the following day.

How Brazil reached the Round of 32

Brazil won Group C with 7 points: a 1-1 draw with Morocco, then 3-0 wins over Haiti and Scotland. They scored 7 goals and conceded just one. Japan finished second in Group F, unbeaten, with draws against the Netherlands and Sweden and a 4-0 win over Tunisia — a disciplined, dangerous opponent rather than an easy tie.

The match is single-elimination: the winner advances to the Round of 16, the loser goes home. If the score is level after 90 minutes, it goes to extra time and, if needed, a penalty shootout.

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Where to watch Brazil vs Japan

Broadcast rights vary by country, so check your local schedule the day before. In the UK, World Cup matches air on ITV; in the US, knockout matches are carried by the tournament's official rights holders across broadcast and streaming. Confirm the specific channel for this fixture, as games are often split across networks.

How to convert any Brazil knockout match to your time zone

In the knockout rounds Brazil may play in different host cities across different time zones. The simplest approach is to start from US Eastern Time (ET):

To check kickoff times for every 2026 World Cup match in any time zone, see the full World Cup schedule.

Frequently asked questions

What time is Brazil vs Japan today?
Brazil play Japan on Monday, June 29, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET (noon in Houston, 6 p.m. in London).
Where is the Brazil match in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32?
At NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas (USA), one of the tournament's host venues.
What happens if Brazil beat Japan?
Brazil advance to the Round of 16. A loss means elimination.
Can the match go to penalties?
Yes. As a knockout match, a draw after 90 minutes goes to extra time and, if still level, a penalty shootout.

See also