Houston, June 29 -- Ahead of Japan's FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash against Brazil, veteran Yuto Nagatomo said he believes his country has made greater strides over the past two decades and is steadily closing the gap on the five-time world champions.

Speaking to Japan's news outlet Kyodo News, Nagatomo said Japan's rate of improvement has outpaced Brazil's in recent years.

The former Inter Milan fullback gave his views as the team departed their base camp near Nashville, Tennessee, which he called the most comfortable he has had in his five World Cups.

"If we're talking about these past 10, 20 years, I think Japan have upped their level more than Brazil have," Nagatomo was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.

"It's not whether Braz...