In part three of our series of looking at the favourites for next summer’s World Cup in North America, we take a look at the only team to win the tournament five times, and the only team to have participated in every single tournament.
That second record will continue in 2026, after they secured their qualification during the previous international window in June. However, the first record does not look overly likely to be extended at the moment.
Indeed, this is the most cynical feeling towards a team in this series so far. Although they are indeed amongst the favourites, they have the least merit to be of the teams mentioned so far.
However, one of the favourites they are, so it is only right that we go over the current situation regarding the Selecao, a national team that never has a dull moment, in the good and bad.
Although as mentioned above, Brazil have secured their ticket to the World Cup, it has not been easy. The record champions are currently on their third manager during their qualification campaign. To begin it was Fernando Diniz, who took the role whilst continuing to manage Fluminese, and then Dorival Junior.
However, the latter was also sacked, and Brazil got the manager they had wanted all along – Carlo Ancelotti. Their interest in the 66-year old has been one of the worst kept secrets in football over the last few years, and they have finally got their man.
His tenure began with a very dull 0-0 draw with Ecuador in Quito, before a 1-0 win over Paraguay secured their spot at the tournament next summer. They are currently third in the qualifying group, 10 points behind leaders Argentina. They are level with Ecuador on 25 points and with worse goal difference, but would be three points behind if not for a points deduction.
In the autumn of 2023, the Selecao began their qualifying campaign with wins over Bolivia and Peru, before then taking just one point from their following four games – as a 1-1 draw with Venezuela was followed up by defeats to Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina.
During the spring of 2024, they acquitted themselves well with a 1-0 win over England and a 3-3 draw with Spain, but a disappointing Copa America campaign saw them win just one of their four games, as they were dumped out by Uruguay on penalties in the quarter final.
They have had mixed results in qualifying since, with narrow wins over Ecuador and Colombia the pick of the results. However, they have also lost to Paraguay, drawn (again) to Venezuela, as well as taking a 4-1 hammering by fierce rivals Argentina, without Lionel Messi, back in March.
The truth is the squad is very imbalanced. They have attackers like Vinicius, Raphinha and Rodrygo, but still lack an elite number nine. That too, and Vinicius has never been able to replicate his club form for the national team. Without Neymar, the attack can look pretty rigid at times.
Back in midfield, they have the ever impressive Bruno Guimaraes, as well as the combative Joao Gomes, and exciting Andrey Santos. But since Casemiro’s sharp decline, they are lacking a pure defensive midfielder to put fires out. Perhaps a reunion with his old Real Madrid boss could get the best out of Casemiro.
Regarding the centre of the defence, the options are pretty good, if not completely spectacular. Lille’s Aleksandro Riberio impressed during the last break. Arsenal’s Gabriel and PSG’s Marquinhos are seen as the first choice pair, though there is also Murillo from Nottingham Forest, and potentially Eder Militao of Real Madrid if he can get over his injuries.
Most national teams would dream of two options in goal with the pedigree of Alisson and Ederson. So the backbone in terms of central defence and in goal is fine. However, where to even start when it comes to full backs.
You will be hard pressed to find another major national team with such a glaring weakness as Brazil have with full backs. 34-year old Alex Sandro, now of Flamengo, started the last two games – being replaced by PSG central defender Lucas Beraldo in one of the games.
At right-back, Vanderson of Monaco is seen as the best of a bad bunch of options, but even he is a winger by trade who has been moved further back. Until their full-back options desperately improve, and fast, there will be a few teams ahead of Brazil.
Sure, you can never write off Brazil, a country with so much prestige and knowhow, but there are just too many glaring issues for them to be ahead of the likes of Spain at the moment.
