FIFA World Cup 2026: Ronaldinho congratulates Brazil after Round of 16 qualification

Ronaldinho’s congratulations underscore how Brazil’s World Cup 2026 progress continues to resonate beyond the pitch after the team secured a Round of 16 berth. Following Brazil’s 2-1 victory over Japan on Monday (local time), the former star posted on X praising the players and head coach Carlo Ancelotti for a determined performance. The decisive moment came late as Gabriel Martinelli scored a winner in the 95th minute to complete a second-half comeback. Japan had led 1-0 after Kaishu Sano’s 40-yard solo run ended with a shot past Alisson. Brazil equalized when Casemiro headed home a cross from Gabriel Magalhaes, and the late sequence involved Danilo, Endrick and Bruno Guimaraes before Martinelli finished. Brazil will face either Ivory Coast or Norway on July 5 at the New York New Jersey Stadium. The article also notes that Brazil and Japan met only once before in World Cup history.