No other nation has the relationship with the World Cup that Brazil has. As five-time winners, they are international soccer giants and favorites of those who value everything that is great and good about the game.
Whether this particular Brazil team are great or good, however, remains to be seen. Carlo Ancelotti was brought in to change the direction of a side that finished a lowly fifth in Conmebol qualifying. His success or failure will be determined by what unfolds this summer. Brazil always expect to win. They open their World Cup on Saturday against 2022 semi-finalist Morocco in New Jersey.
