FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32: Brazil Face Japan, Germany Take on Paraguay, Netherlands Meet Morocco Today

By Thetripurapost Desk, Huston, USA
Jun 29, 2026
177

The knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 promises another thrilling day of football as global heavyweights (CBF) Germany, and the Netherlands prepare for crucial Round of 32 encounters.

Five-time world champions Brazil will begin the action against Japan, while Germany are set to battle Paraguay. In the day's final fixture, the Netherlands will lock horns with Morocco in what is expected to be an intense contest.

Brazil vs Japan: Selecao Aim to Continue Dominance

Brazil and Japan will clash at Houston Stadium at 10:30 PM ET in one of the most anticipated Round of 32 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Historically, Brazil have dominated this fixture. Out of 14 international meetings, Brazil have emerged victorious 11 times, while Japan have managed only one win. Two matches ended in draws.

This will be only the second FIFA World Cup meeting between the two nations. Their previous World Cup encounter came in Germany 2006, where Brazil secured an emphatic 4-1 victory.

Brazil and Japan Group Stage Performance

Brazil topped Group C with seven points after registering two wins and one draw. The South American giants began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco before defeating Haiti and Scotland. Brazil sealed top spot with a convincing 3-0 win in their final group-stage fixture.

Japan also advanced to the knockout stage unbeaten. The Asian side collected five points in Group F, recording draws against the Netherlands (2-2) and Sweden (1-1) before crushing Tunisia 4-0 in their final group match.

Brazil will once again rely on star forward Vinicius Junior, while Japan will look to Takefusa Kubo to produce a memorable upset.

Probable Playing XI

Brazil: Alisson Becker, Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Wendell, Bruno Guimaraes, Joao Gomes, Lucas Paqueta, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior.

Japan: Gen Suzuki, Yukinari Sugawara, Ko Itakura, Shogo Taniguchi, Hiroki Ito, Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita, Takefusa Kubo, Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma, Ayase Ueda.

Germany vs Paraguay: European Giants Eye Quarterfinal Berth

Germany will face Paraguay at Boston Stadium at 2:00 AM (IST, June 30) as both teams seek a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16.

The two countries have previously met twice, with Germany winning once and the other match ending in a draw.

Their only previous FIFA World Cup meeting came during the 2002 edition, when Germany edged Paraguay 1-0 in a knockout encounter.

Germany and Paraguay Group Stage Journey

Germany finished at the top of Group E with six points from three matches. The four-time world champions defeated Curacao and Ivory Coast but suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against Ecuador.

Paraguay qualified for the knockout stage after finishing third in Group D with four points. Following a heavy defeat against the United States, Paraguay bounced back with a draw against Australia and a crucial victory over Turkey.

Germany will depend heavily on Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz to unlock the Paraguayan defence, while captain Gustavo Gomez will lead Paraguay's resistance.

Probable Playing XI

Germany: Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rudiger, Jonathan Tah, Nathaniel Brown, Felix Nmecha, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz.

Paraguay: Gil, Richard Caceres, Gustavo Gomez, Junior Alderete, Matias Alonso, Harvey, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Caleb Yerenki, Miguel Almiron, Waterman, Julio Enciso.

Netherlands vs Morocco: High-Stakes Knockout Battle Awaits

The Netherlands will take on Morocco at Monterrey Stadium at 6:30 AM (IST, June 30) in another blockbuster FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 fixture.

The Dutch hold a superior head-to-head record, having won two of their three international meetings with Morocco.

The sides previously met at the FIFA World Cup in 1994, when the Netherlands registered a 2-1 victory.

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Netherlands and Morocco Group Stage Results

The Netherlands finished on top of Group F with seven points, recording wins over Sweden and Tunisia after opening with a draw against Japan.

Morocco also impressed during the group stage, collecting seven points in Group C. The African side held Brazil to a draw before defeating Scotland and Haiti to qualify for the knockout rounds.

The Netherlands will pin their hopes on in-form striker Cody Gakpo, while Morocco's chances could depend heavily on star defender Ashraf Hakimi.

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As the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage intensifies, football fans around the globe can expect a day packed with drama, excitement, and high-quality action.

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