World Cup Round of 16: Brazil vs Japan, Germany vs Paraguay, Netherlands vs Morocco
Tonight and early Tuesday, three Round of 16 matches will be played at the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Brazil against Japan, Germany against Paraguay, and Netherlands against Morocco.
Brazil vs Japan
At 20:00 local time in Houston, Brazil takes on Japan. Brazil won Group C after a draw with Morocco (1-1) and wins over Haiti (3-0) and Scotland (3-0). Japan finished second in Group F with draws against Netherlands (2-2) and Sweden (1-1) and a win over Tunisia (4-0). In a friendly last October, Japan beat Brazil for the first time ever (3-2). Their only World Cup meeting was in 2006, a 4-1 Brazil win. Brazil is the only nation to have played in every World Cup and always reached the round of 16. In the 21st century, they have always reached at least the quarterfinals. Japan has qualified for every World Cup since 1998 but never advanced beyond the round of 16. Brazil will be without injured star Raphinha; Japan may miss Ko Itakura and Takefusa Kubo.
Germany vs Paraguay
At 23:30 in Foxborough, Germany faces Paraguay. Germany topped Group E after crushing Curaçao (7-1), coming from behind against Ivory Coast (2-1), and losing to Ecuador (1-2). Paraguay finished third in Group D after losing to USA (1-4), beating Turkey (1-0), and drawing with Australia (0-0). Their only previous World Cup meeting was in 2002, a 1-0 Germany win (goal by Oliver Neuville). Germany has advanced from the group stage for the first time since 2014, and when they have done so in the 21st century, they have always reached the semifinals. Paraguay returns after 16 years, having reached the quarterfinals in 2010. Germany will miss Nico Schlotterbeck due to injury; Paraguay's Omar Alderete is doubtful.
Netherlands vs Morocco
At 04:00 in Monterrey, Netherlands meets Morocco. The Dutch won Group F after a draw with Japan (2-2), then big wins over Sweden (5-1) and Tunisia (3-1). Morocco advanced from Group C with a draw against Brazil (1-1), a win over Scotland (1-0), and a comeback win against Haiti (4-2). Netherlands lost in the quarterfinals four years ago; their best 21st-century results are a final in 2010 and bronze in 2014. Morocco made history last time by becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals. Their only previous World Cup meeting was in 1994 in the USA, a 2-1 Netherlands win. Both teams are at full strength except for injured Jurriën Timber and Abde Ezzalzouli.
