The South American country is home to the largest Japanese community outside of Japan.
On Monday, the Brazilian national team, known as the Canarinha, will face Japan, the Blue Samurai, in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, a match that transcends football and reflects cultural ties.
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The game will be played in Houston and symbolizes the brotherhood between the two nations, since Brazil is home to the largest Japanese community outside of Japan, with nearly two million descendants.
The migration began in 1908 with the arrival of the Kasato Maru, which carried the first Japanese migrants to Brazil, seeking opportunities in the coffee industry after the abolition of slavery.
Many settled in São Paulo, especially in the Liberdade neighborhood, and their influence extended to the automotive industry, the arts, and martial arts. Meanwhile, 211,000 Brazilians live in Japan, constituting the fifth-largest Brazilian community abroad.
ANIME LEGEND MEETS REALITY!
That unforgettable Captain Tsubasa episode had Brazil battling Japan in the anime…
Now it’s happening FOR REAL at the 2026 FIFA World Cup!
Life imitating art in the most epic way possible. Dreams really do manifest! pic.twitter.com/WFp4wZ9Ipa
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Japanese football has benefited from Brazilian influence since the 1960s. Sergio Echigo, Rivellino’s teammate at Corinthians, introduced the “elastic” dribble and played for Yanmar, marking the beginning of this sporting connection.
In 1995, 40 of the 77 foreign players in the Japanese League were Brazilian, including World Cup winners such as Gilmar Rinaldi, Jorginho Amorim, Leonardo, Müller, Dunga, and Zinho.
Even in the anime Captain Tsubasa (Oliver and Benji), Brazil plays a prominent role, with a showdown between the two teams. In this context, Librarian Ademir Takara, grandson of Japanese immigrants, predicts a narrow victory for Vinicius Junior’s team.
#FromTheSouth News Bits | Brazilian cinema took center stage at the Shanghai International Film Festival, strengthening cultural ties as part of the Brazil–China Cultural Year 2026. pic.twitter.com/CYDRUH8AOV
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) June 26, 2026
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Source: EFE
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