World Cup: Alex Santos reveals why he chose Japan over Brazil and the anticipated Monday showdown
By Luke Oluoch, June 29, 2026Former Japanese international Alex Santos has opened up on his improbable journey to representing the Samurai Blue at the 2006 FIFA World Cup games at the expense of his motherland, Brazil.
Speaking to FIFA, Santos, now the CEO of Brazilian club Galo Maringa and president of the Instituto Alex Santos, lauded the progress in Japanese football as he revealed he would be supporting his adopted country over his motherland in the upcoming round of 32 clash in Houston.
Japan faces off against Carlo Ancelotti’s team this Monday, June 29, 2026, with a maiden qualification to the round of 16 at stake for the Asian nation.
Despite being born in Maringa in Parana, Brazil, as a teenager, Santos moved to Japan for the chance to study and play football at a local school. He stayed on in the country, joining Shimizu S-Pulse and becoming a naturalised Japanese citizen.
The defender represented Japan in two World Cups: the 2002 World Cup, which Japan co-hosted with the Republic, and later in 2006 in Germany.
The latter remains etched in his memory when he lined up wearing No. 14 of Samurai Blue as a starting left-back in that meeting with Brazil in Dortmund on June 22, 2006. Brazil came from behind to win 4-1, a result that confirmed Japan’s elimination.
Brazil’s influence on Japanese football
The defeat saw Flamengo legend Zico, then in charge of Japan, fail to beat Selecao, but Santos acknowledges just how Japan’s game gained partly due to the Brazilian connections.
“Zico brought a creative side to us, rather than just playing defensively. We tried to win the game, to go at them. We wanted to be aggressive and get the victory any way we could. Today, you see Japan playing attacking football and defending hard when they need to. They pose a real threat in attack with the pace and movement to wear opponents down.
On the upcoming clash in Houston, Santos believes Japan can now seize their moment to upset the five-time world champions.
“Knowing both teams, I think Japan will want to impose a very high tempo, with a lot of transitions, and Brazil will try to steer clear of that. I don’t think they’ll press Japan high up the pitch. Japan won’t throw everything at Brazil either. They know what Vinicius Junior, Rayan and the others are capable of on a very fast counter-attack.”
He also revealed where his allegiance lies in the clash pitting the Seleção vs. the Samurai Blues.
“I will definitely be supporting Japan, but I won’t be sad if Brazil wins,” he says. “It is a real opportunity to move up a level. The World Cup comes down to results, and Japan will only take that next step if they can overcome teams of that standard. Brazil, the Netherlands, Germany, Argentina … this is Japan’s chance.”