Brazil defender Marquinhos struck a confident tone ahead of his team's World Cup round of 32 clash with Japan on Monday, warning that the five-time champions are improving all the time. The match will take place at Houston Stadium in Inglewood on June 28, 2026.
Japan's Recent Victory Over Brazil
Japan defeated Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil 3-2 in a friendly in October 2025, marking their first historic victory over the South Americans. That result, combined with a 1-0 win over England at Wembley, has positioned Japan as dark horses in the tournament.
Marquinhos on Brazil's Growth
Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos, who was among several defenders missing from that friendly defeat, said the team has learned from that night. "I think that really was a learning experience for us," he said. "Everything that we've been through in the last few years brought us to this point, to this present moment, in the World Cup, and everything is a learning experience."
He added: "I think since then, we have grown quite a bit. We have changed a lot as a squad. We have done a lot of adjustments and in the last few games I think we have grown as a team as well."
Ancelotti's Influence
Marquinhos praised the experienced Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, a serial winner at club level, for bringing stability and tactical nous. Brazil, chasing a record-extending sixth World Cup crown, were held 1-1 by Morocco in their opening game before beating Haiti and Scotland both 3-0.
"There's always a lot of pride playing for the national team," Marquinhos said. "But we were not coming together at first, (until) the adjustments that our coach made. He's an intelligent coach. He really knew how to improve the players," he added, referring to "some turmoil" before Ancelotti arrived in May 2025.
"Everything has come together... we know that we have quality, we have a great head coach."
Ancelotti's Perspective
The 67-year-old Ancelotti, one of the most acclaimed coaches in the modern game, was in typically relaxed mood. "We need a lot of things: A strong mind, a strong heart, a clear mind," he said. "I think we have to be ready for anything that might take place in a knockout match, and a lot can happen in a knockout match. I think the team is ready. They're motivated, they're confident."
Ancelotti, at his first World Cup as a coach, said no clear favorite to win the tournament had yet emerged. But he has been impressed by Japan, calling them "one of the best teams in the world."
"It might be that a few teams did better than others during this first group stage," he said, with holders Argentina and France both especially impressing. "But I don't think a clear favorite has come up yet."
