World Cup Day 19 What to Watch: Brazil takes on Japan, Netherlands and Morocco face off
The 2026 World Cup knockout stage continues on Monday with three more Round of 32 matchups.
Here’s what you need to know for Day 19 of the World Cup.
Brazil vs. Japan
Monday, June 29 | 1 p.m. ET | Houston | TV: Fox
Odds: Brazil -320
In terms of World Cup history, Brazil stands alone, with more trophies and appearances than any other team. Brazil has appeared in every single World Cup since the beginning, the only nation to never miss a tournament, and has lifted the trophy five times. But in recent Cups, the Canarinho have fallen well short of expectations.
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This year, Brazil will hope to turn things around, and that’ll start with a relatively difficult matchup with a Japan team whose defense is notoriously difficult to break. Even though they were held to two draws, the Samurai Blue allowed only three goals across the three group stage games.
Brazil, though, enters with a slight edge, both in terms of goals scored and having only allowed two goals on the defensive end. Vinicius Jr., as always, is on a tear: He’s currently tied for third in the Golden Boot race after scoring in all three group stage matches.
Germany vs. Paraguay
Monday, June 29 | 4:30 p.m. ET | Boston | TV: Fox
Odds: Germany -750
Of the three games on Monday, this looks to be the least competitive of the three. Paraguay squeaked into the knockout round largely thanks to an unlikely 1-0 win over Türkiye despite having 10 men for much of the second half.
Germany, meanwhile, comes in off a surprise loss to Ecuador to close the group stage, though the Germans still have plenty of confidence after a 7-1 win over Curaçao and a 2-1 win over upstart Ivory Coast.
As DFB Team launches into the knockout round, it will be interesting to see if super substitute Deniz Undav can continue his streak: The 29-year-old striker, who has yet to start a World Cup game, is the team’s leading scorer and is unexpectedly in mix for the Golden Boot. Undav has scored three goals and provided two assists in less than 90 total minutes of play across three games, putting up an impressive level of efficiency in his first-ever World Cup.
Netherlands vs. Morocco
Monday, June 29 | 9 p.m. ET | Monterrey | TV: Fox
Odds: Netherlands -188
The Netherlands has always been the bridesmaid and never the bride at the World Cup: The Oranje have made three finals at the tournament, but have lost all three. This summer offers a chance to potentially change that narrative, and though the Dutch don’t have the best odds to win it all, they are sitting in the top 10.
That journey toward a long-awaited trophy starts with Morocco, a gutsy team who will be a tough opening challenge for the Oranje. Just four years removed from a historic semifinals appearance, the Atlas Lions finished second in the group thanks solely to goal differential with Brazil, and enter with plenty of fire.
This game may be the most closely matched of the day, and has the potential to be a thriller. But beyond the excitement in the field, keep your eyes peeled for orange outside the stadium, as the Oranje Army take over Monterrey ahead of the match.
