Japan was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup by five-time champions Brazil Monday afternoon at Houston Stadium. Japan scored first, but Brazil was able to level it in the second half and got the winner in the fifth minute of six added stoppage-time minutes.
A disappointing end to the tournament that saw Japan fans turn downtown Dallas into a sea of blue, and similar scenes in Arlington and Plano.
Fans of Team Japan were partying in Plano in anticipation of North Texas’ first match of the World Cup. NBC 5’s Katy Blakey was there to see how fans were feeling before their World Cup debut.
Those supporters cheered Japan to a 1-1 draw against Sweden, Japan’s second draw against a European side at Dallas Stadium in June.
The highlight of their tournament was the 4-nil win over Tunisia, but it will be hard to forget a fan biking to Dallas from Pennsylvania and then attending all three group stage games.
Zion Suzuki has become one of the most talked-about goalkeepers at the 2026 World Cup. Born in New Jersey to a Ghanaian father and Japanese mother, the Japan starter has a unique journey that spans three countries and multiple cultures.
The Samurai Blues have never won a knockout stage game, despite advancing out of their group in five of the last seven tournaments.
Brazil will take on the winner of Côte d’Ivoire and Norway, which are playing at Dallas Stadium Tuesday at noon. That game is July 5 at New York/New Jersey Stadium – not everyone’s favorite stadium.