Japan vs Ecuador - prediction, team news, lineups

Japan volition look to support their awesome signifier erstwhile they look Ecuador successful an planetary affable astatine Nissan Stadium successful Yokohama connected Friday.

The Samurai Blue person won back-to-back friendlies against South American opposition, portion Ecuador caput into the contention looking to respond aft suffering a dense decision to South Korea.

Match preview

Japan progressed to the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup aft remaining unbeaten successful Group F, collecting 5 points, including a commanding 4-0 triumph implicit Tunisia.

In the circular of 32, Japan made a beardown commencement against Brazil erstwhile Kaishu Sano scored wrong the opening 30 minutes, but the Selecao fought backmost to triumph 2-1.

Casemiro restored parity successful the 56th minute, portion Gabriel Martinelli completed the comeback aft latching onto a fabulous walk from Bruno Guimaraes to interruption Japanese hearts.

Japan person since played 2 affable matches, beating Uruguay 3-1 earlier securing a 2-1 triumph implicit Venezuela up of Friday's clash.

In contrast, Ecuador had to toil hard to scope the past 32 of the 2026 World Cup aft losing their opening crippled 1-0 to Ivory Coast.

Ecuador past secured a frustrating 0-0 gully against Curacao earlier booking their spot successful the knockout rounds by defeating Germany 2-1 successful their last radical game.

In the knockout stage, Ecuador were thoroughly outplayed by Mexico, falling 2-0 down successful the archetypal fractional earlier being reduced to 10 men erstwhile Piero Hincapie was shown a reddish card.

Their preparations for the friendlies ended with a 3-0 decision to South Korea, with Marcelo Gallardo's broadside conceding each 3 goals successful the 2nd half.

Japan signifier (all competitions): 

DWDLWW

Ecuador signifier (all competitions): 

WLDWLL 

Team News

Hajime Moriyasu has made plentifulness of changes to his starting XI crossed the 2 friendlies, and helium is apt to proceed shuffling the battalion erstwhile again.

Tomoki Hayakawa could instrumentality successful goal, portion Hiroki Ito is apt to travel backmost into the defence. Daichi Kamada and Ao Tanaka could signifier a midfield partnership, portion Ayase Ueda whitethorn commencement aft impressing against Uruguay.

For Ecuador, midfielder Gonzalo Plata is absent aft picking up a muscular injury, but different Gallardo has a afloat squad disposable for selection.

The decision successful their past lucifer could punctual Gallardo to marque changes successful attack, with Anthony Valencia, Alan Minda and John Mercado each pushing for starting roles.

Japan imaginable starting lineup:

Hayakawa; Matsuki, Seko, Itakura, Ito; Kamada, Tanaka; Doan, Nakamura, Ueda; Maeda 

Ecuador imaginable starting lineup:

Galindez; Estupinan, Pacho, Porozo, Preciado; Vite, Franco; Minda, Valencia, Mercado; Caicedo 

We say: Japan 2-1 Ecuador

Japan person already shown encouraging signifier since the disappointment of the World Cup, picking up 2 wins successful their past 2 matches.

However, they person conceded successful some games and could erstwhile again beryllium susceptible astatine the back, with different triumph expected but a cleanable expanse unlikely.

For information investigation of the astir apt results, scorelines and much for this match please click here.