Brazil vs. Japan squad comparison: Market values, most expensive players | World Cup 2026

Brazil will set their sights on a place in the World Cup 2026 round of 16 when they take on Japan at Houston's NRG Stadium on Monday.

Although the five-time champions were held to a draw by Morocco in their opening game, back-to-back 3-0 victories over Haiti and Scotland were enough to secure the top spot in Group C on goal difference.

On the other hand, Japan earned five points from three group fixtures, finishing second in Group F behind the Netherlands.

These teams have clashed a fair few times over the years, but their most recent World Cup encounter took place in June 2006, when Brazil cruised to a comfortable 4-1 win over Japan in the group stage.

Both squads have completely changed since then, and Football Whispers takes a look at how they compare in terms of their most and least valuable squad players.

Brazil vs Japan squad value comparison

All values from Transfermarkt

Brazil's total squad value is €928.2m (£800.5m), ranking them sixth in terms of all World Cup 2026 round of 32 squads.

On the other hand, Japan's squad is valued at €270.85m (£233.6m), making them the 20th most expensive squad. Interestingly, Brazil's squad is valued at over three times more than Japan's.

Brazil vs Japan most valuable players

Brazil's most valuable players are Vinicius Jr (€140m/£120.8m), Gabriel (€75m/£64.7m), and Matheus Cunha (€75m/£64.7m).

All three players have been instrumental in the Selecao’s success, as Vinicius Jr has four goals and an assist to his name, Matheus Cunha has scored three times, while Gabriel has led a defence that conceded only once in three matches.

Moreover, Vinicius Jr’s €140m valuation is over half of Japan's total squad value.

Meanwhile, Japan's most valuable players are Kaishu Sano (€40m/£34.5m), Yuito Suzuki (€24m/£20.7m), and Zion Suzuki (€20m/£17.2m). Sano and Zion Suzuki contributed a lot to Japan's group stage campaign, while Yuito Suzuki only participated once from the bench.

Brazil vs Japan least valuable players

Brazil's three least valuable squad players are Weverton (€700k/£603.7k), Alex Sandro (€1m/£862.4k), and Danilo (€2m/£1.72m).

Japan's three least valuable squad players are Yuto Nagatomo (€100k/£86.2k), Shogo Taniguchi (€750k/£646.7k), and Koki Ogawa (€2m/£1.72m).

Five of the six players have made at least one appearance so far, with Brazil's third-choice goalkeeper Weverton being the exception.

Brazil vs Japan transfer records

Brazil's most expensive player is Neymar, who moved to PSG from Barcelona in 2017 for €222m (£200m). This is also the most expensive transfer in football history.

On the other hand, Japan's most expensive player is Shoya Nakajima, who moved from Portimonense to Al Duhail in 2019 for €35m (£30.2m).

It is worth mentioning that Group F winners Netherlands will also meet Group D runners-up Morocco in the round of 32.