Brazil and Japan will meet at Houston Stadium in a crucial Round of 32 clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Both teams navigated their group stage campaigns successfully to earn their spots in the single-elimination phase.
Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil topped Group C with seven points, picking up convincing 3-0 wins over Haiti and Scotland after opening with a 1-1 draw against Morocco.
Vinícius Júnior and Matheus Cunha have scored all of Brazil's seven goals so fat in the tournament.
Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP via Getty Images
Meanwhile, Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan advanced as runners-up from Group F, putting together an unbeaten group stage that featured draws against the Netherlands and Sweden alongside a 4-0 victory over Tunisia.
Referee & VAR Officials for Brazil vs. Japan
Italian referee Maurizio Mariani will officiate this Round of 32 match in Houston.
The 44-year-old is the lone head referee representing Italy at the tournament and is taking charge of his third match of the 2026 World Cup.
He previously oversaw Saudi Arabia's 1-1 draw with Uruguay in Group H, followed by Colombia's 1-0 victory over DR Congo in Group K.
An experienced official in European football, Mariani regularly handles important fixtures in Italy's Serie A and across UEFA club competitions, including the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
For Monday's match, Mariani will be assisted by fellow Italians Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni, while Sandro Schärer of Switzerland will serve as the fourth official. Marco Di Bello, also from Italy, has been appointed to lead the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team.
- Main Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
- Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni (Italy)
- Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Tegoni (Italy)
- Fourth Official: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
- Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Marco Di Bello (Italy)
