Coach Carlo Ancelotti said this Sunday (28) that the Brazilian team is prepared for all scenarios that arise in the game against Japan in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
“The team is focused, motivated, prepared for everything that could happen tomorrow: extra time, penalties. We prepared ourselves in every aspect,” said Ancelotti. “This game is like a final,” he added.
For the duel against the ‘Blue Samurai’, this Monday, in Houston, Brazil needs “mind, heart, clear ideas. We have to be prepared for everything that can happen in an elimination game. The team is prepared, motivated, has confidence”, reiterated the Italian.
“Brazil is lucky to have experienced players in this aspect and they know perfectly how to prepare for this type of game. In this aspect, I have confidence”, he continued.
Ancelotti highlighted that Japan is a strong opponent and has good organization.
“It’s a team that we have to respect and we will respect,” commented the coach.
Regarding Neymar’s presence on the field, ‘Carletto’ explained that the number 10 “is quite well physically”, but his entry will depend greatly on the “context and evolution of the game”.
The Italian recalled that the 3-2 defeat to the Japanese team in a friendly in 2025 “was a good experience” to realize that they were facing “a very competitive team”.
“Football has changed a lot, there is no disorganized team, it no longer exists because everyone studies, everyone works, everyone learns. There may be a team with less individual quality, which already depends on genetics, but a physically disorganized team or one that is not at a good level, does not exist”, analyzed Ancelotti.
In turn, defender Marquinhos, captain of the Seleção, admitted that the Japanese arrived with more confidence and support at this World Cup than Brazil.
“We came perhaps not at the best stage, but we continued to improve”, considered the Paris Saint-Germain player.
“We arrive at the knockout stages with more confidence than we did when we started this competition. So we’ll see tomorrow what we have to do”, commented Marquinhos.
