Ranked first in the FIFA world ranking and with no clear in-form European favorite, all of the stars seem to be lining up for Brazil in Qatar. Now is the time for the Seleção to add a sixth title to their all-time World Cup trophy count. Brazil last won the trophy in 2002, and if it doesn’t win in Qatar, the country will match its longest World Cup drought by the time the 2026 World Cup begins.
Brazil will head into the World Cup with only one loss over the last two years—the 2021 Copa América final vs. Argentina. The side went undefeated in 17 South American World Cup qualifiers, as Neymar led the team with eight goals followed by Richarlison with six. Brazil’s last World Cup ended poorly after a quarterfinal exit at the hands of Belgium, although it has since claimed the 2019 Copa América and an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo.
Tite has been manager of Brazil for more years (six) than he has accumulated losses (five), winning 57 of his 76 matches in charge for an incredible 75% win rate. However, the coach will leave the team following the World Cup, where he will have some of the country’s best attacking weapons in a decade at his disposal in Neymar, Richarlison, Vinícius Júnior and Gabriel Jesus among many others.
