The victory over Haiti in the second round of the 2026 World Cup left the Brazilian team’s qualification for the knockout stages well on their way.
In the 32-team phase, a new development in this World Cup that precedes the round of 16, Brazil has three possible rivals: the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden.
This is because the first place in Group C (from Brazil) faces the second from F (of the three teams), and the first from F faces the second from C.
According to Opta Analytics predictions, the Brazilian team should face Japan in the next phase, repeating the 2006 World Cup clash in Germany, when, in the group stage, the team led by Carlos Alberto Parreira thrashed the team led by Zico 4-1.
At the moment, Brazil and Morocco are tied with four points each, but the Brazilians have an advantage on goal difference — two more than the Moroccans.
In the third and final round of the group stage, Brazil and Scotland will face each other in Miami. The clash takes place on Wednesday (24), at 7pm, at the same time that Morocco and Haiti play the other duel in Group C, in Atlanta.
Opta gives a 62% probability of Brazil coming in 1st place, against a 35% chance for the Moroccans and 2% for the Scots.
PROBABLE DUEL
With Japan beating Tunisia 4-0, in the early hours of this Sunday (21), the prediction tool gives the Asians’ qualification for the 32-team phase as very likely.
The Japanese reached 4 points and are tied with the Dutch in Group F. However, the chances of the Japanese advancing in first place are only 21%, according to Opta.
The Netherlands, with one more goal than Japan so far, faces Tunisia, last placed in the group. Before the 4-0 defeat in the second round, the Africans were beaten 5-1 by Sweden.
The Japanese team faces Sweden, alive in the group dispute, with 3 points and six goals scored in the World Cup so far.
According to current forecasts, Japan has a 55% chance of coming second in Group F.
If this happens, Kubo and Kamada’s team will be in Brazil’s path, in the first knockout game of the World Cup, if Ancelotti’s team confirms its favoritism and ends up leading the C.
In the only meeting at the World Cup, in 2006, the Japanese focused their hopes on midfielder Nakata, who played for Roma, Parma and Perugia in the best years of his career.
For this World Cup in Germany, Brazil had big names such as Ronaldo Fenômeno, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Adriano, Kaká, Cafu, Lúcio and Dida.
The match was decided with goals from Juninho Pernambucano, Gilberto and Ronaldo Fenômeno, who found the net twice and completed the rout over the Japanese.
OTHER POSSIBLE CONFRONTS
If Brazil finishes in second place in Group C, the match should be against an old World Cup acquaintance.
Opta gives a 75% chance of the Dutch finishing the group stage first in Group F, a 24% chance of finishing second and less than 1% of finishing third.
Second place in Group C would place Brazil on the other side of the bracket, which should include France, Germany, Spain and Portugal, according to Opta’s predictions. These would be possible clashes before the final.
If it remains in first place in C, Brazil’s lineup should include teams such as Argentina, England, Mexico and Colombia.
There is also the possibility that Brazil will face Sweden in the first knockout match of the competition.
To do this, the Swedes need to beat the Japanese in the last round of the group stage, guaranteeing second place and pushing the Japanese into third place.
Sweden has a 20% chance of finishing second in Group F and a 75% chance of finishing in third place. According to Opta, the most likely duel for the Swedes is against Germany.
