Brazil World Cup 2026 team preview: Players to watch, group matches, squad | World Cup 2026 News
Brazil National Soccer Team Prepares for World Cup 2026
Previous World Cup Appearances: 22
Best Performance: Champions (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
First Appearance: 1930 (Uruguay)
Top Goal Scorer: Ronaldo (15 goals)
Most Appearances: Cafu (20 matches)
Player to Watch: Vinicius Jr.
FIFA World Ranking: 6
Brazil remains the only nation to have participated in every FIFA World Cup and holds the record for the most championships, with five titles. However, it has been 24 years since the team last lifted the trophy. Recent tournaments have seen a series of disappointments, including a heartbreaking 7-1 loss to Germany during the 2014 World Cup on home soil and a quarterfinal exit to Croatia in 2022 on penalties.
Entering this year’s competition, Brazil is regarded as one of the lesser-prepared teams in its history, which may allow the squad to leverage its still-considerable talent. The team’s fortunes are under the guidance of renowned coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Brazil’s previous success on North American soil includes winning the 1994 World Cup in the United States, a title secured in a dramatic penalty shootout that ended a 24-year championship drought.
Ancelotti’s Appointment
Carlo Ancelotti replaced Dorival Jr. as manager following an underwhelming qualification campaign, where Brazil finished fifth in the CONMEBOL standings. Ancelotti, the first foreign manager to lead Brazil, brings a wealth of experience, having secured five UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid and AC Milan. He has also been successful in all five major European leagues.
While his tactics have proven effective at the club level, Ancelotti is still untested in international competitions. Thus far, Brazil’s results under his leadership have been inconsistent, with friendly wins against Colombia and Chile contrasted by a 2-1 loss to France.
Notably, Ancelotti’s prior experience with many players, especially Vinicius Jr. at Real Madrid, may benefit the national squad.
Key Players
Vinicius Jr. is expected to be a critical asset for Brazil, showcasing his speed, skill, and scoring potential. After a challenging start to the season at Madrid, he rebounded under new management, finishing with 16 goals in La Liga. Although he shines in club matches, he has not matched this performance on the international stage, netting only eight goals in 43 appearances.
Ancelotti has shifted Vinicius’s position from a left winger to a central striker, a change that may limit his effectiveness and ability to support midfielders, including Bruno Guimaraes and Casemiro.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti faces the challenge of reintegrating Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals. After a series of injuries that kept him out since October 2023, Neymar’s selection for the World Cup squad came as a surprise. Ancelotti stated that Neymar has shown significant improvement in physical fitness, highlighting his experience as a valuable asset, despite potential controversies surrounding his recent behavior.
Supporting Cast
Brazil’s talent pool extends well beyond Vinicius and Neymar. Raphinha, bolstered by a strong season with Barcelona, adds depth to Brazil’s attacking options alongside Gabriel Martinelli, Endrick, and Matheus Cunha. However, injuries to Rodrygo and Estevao have dealt significant blows to the squad’s attacking lineup.
In midfield, Guimaraes has emerged as a standout performer at Newcastle, and Casemiro has experienced a renaissance at Manchester United. Defensively, the experienced Marquinhos leads a well-organized backline supported by world-class goalkeeper Alisson.
The upcoming World Cup will test Brazil’s ability to unify their talent and navigate challenges as they aim for another championship title.
Group Stage Outlook
Brazil has been drawn in Group C, which includes Morocco and Scotland, teams that were opponents during the 1998 World Cup. Haiti completes the group, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1974.
Morocco’s recent semifinal appearance in 2022 has set the stage for a tough opener against Brazil. Should Brazil perform to its potential, a victory in this crucial match may propel them to the top of the group, despite anticipated challenges from Scotland and Haiti.
Brazil’s Group Stage Matches
- June 13: Brazil vs. Morocco (East Rutherford, New Jersey), 6 p.m. EDT (22:00 GMT)
- June 19: Brazil vs. Haiti (Philadelphia), 9:30 p.m. EDT (01:30 GMT, June 20)
- June 24: Scotland vs. Brazil (Miami), 6 p.m. EDT (22:00 GMT)
Brazil’s Squad for World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg)
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth)
As Brazil heads into the tournament, it remains to be seen if they can harness their collective abilities to make a significant impact in the World Cup.
