IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Troy Taormina
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Brazil Training - Houston Dash & Dynamo Stadium, Houston, Texas, U.S. - June 28, 2026 Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti during training
No nation in the history of FIFA World Cup has had as much success as Brazil, which has won the legendary tournament a record five times.
However, the Seleção has fallen on hard times of late, having not won since 2002 and not being favored to do so again in 2026.
Ahead of their Round of 32 matchup with Japan, some Japanese players have sensed a weakness in the Brazilian side and weren’t afraid to call it out. However, Brazil’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti (who is Italian), doesn’t sound like he’s a huge fan of what he called “mind games” in a recent press conference.
Carlo Ancelotti Dismisses Japan’s Mind Games Ahead Of World Cup Clash With Brazil
Brazil enters the knockout rounds of the tournament as the winner of Group C following a draw with Morocco and victories over Haiti and Scotland. Japan, meanwhile, finished second in Group F after drawing with both the Netherlands and Sweden and hammering Tunisia, 4-0.
But the Japanese players don’t sound intimidated by the perennial powerhouse that is Brazil.
“Brazil used to be very strong. Now, I feel France are strong. Argentina too. But I haven’t heard much about Brazil lately. Neymar? He’s not the same player he used to be anymore,” 21-year-old Japanese striker Kento Shiogai reportedly said of the team.
That didn’t sit well with Ancelotti, who fired back in a press conference on Sunday.
“I won’t repeat what others say. We’re focused on the match, on the opponent’s qualities, on preparing well to avoid problems,” Ancelotti said.
“That’s what match preparation is about. We’re not doing what they call in England ‘mind games.’ How do you say it in Portuguese? Mind games. We’re not going there.”
Following a 2-0 loss to the United States in September, Japan has gone 10 consecutive matches without a loss, including wins in friendlies over both England and Brazil.
Sure, the Brazilians are still the favorites on Monday. But it appears Japan isn’t backing down.