HOUSTON — Brazil will play Japan in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on Monday at Houston Stadium, marking Brazil’s first match at the venue during the 2026 tournament.
The match is scheduled for 2 p.m. Brasília time at the 68,777-seat stadium, home of the NFL’s Houston Texans.
Houston Stadium serves as one of 16 venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The stadium has hosted five group-stage matches and will also stage another Round of 16 match on July 4.
Germany opened the venue’s World Cup schedule with a 7-1 victory over Curaçao in a Group E match on June 14. The stadium also hosted Portugal’s 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 17, the Netherlands’ 5-1 win over Sweden on June 20, Portugal’s 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan on June 23 and Cape Verde’s scoreless draw against Saudi Arabia on June 26.
The stadium opened in 2002 to replace the Astrodome and became the first NFL stadium with a retractable roof.
It hosted Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004, when the New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers 32-29, and Super Bowl LI in 2017, when the Patriots rallied to beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in the first Super Bowl decided in overtime.
Houston Stadium has also hosted international soccer tournaments, including the 2016 Copa América Centenario and the 2024 Copa América. It regularly stages matches involving the United States and Mexico national teams in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and international friendlies.
The venue also serves as the home of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which features rodeo competitions, concerts and educational activities each year.
In addition to sporting events, Houston Stadium has hosted major entertainment productions, including WrestleMania XXV in 2009 and concerts featuring performers such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and The Rolling Stones.