Brazil team profile – FIFA World Cup 2026
In the build-up to FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA, Canada and Mexico, we shine a spotlight on Brazil.
FIFA World Ranking: 6
Confederation: CONMEBOL
Who is Brazil’s head coach for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Brazil’s head coach for FIFA World Cup 2026 Carlo Ancelotti. The former Real Madrid boss took charge of the Selecao in May 2025 after leaving Los Blancos. A serial winner as a player and manager, Ancelotti has won 43 trophies during his career in football – but none at international level, having finished third as a player with Italy in 1990 and then as runner up four years’ later as assistant manager to Arrigo Sacchi.
Who is Brazil’s captain for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Brazil’s captain for FIFA World Cup 2026 is Marquinhos, The veteran Paris Saint-Germain centre-back has been capped over 100 times for his country.
How many times have Brazil participated in a FIFA World Cup before 2026?
22 – 1930, 1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 (Brazil have competed in every single men’s FIFA World Cup tournament).
What is Brazil’s best performance at a FIFA World Cup?
Winners – 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002 (Brazil are the most successful nation in FIFA World Cup history, winning the tournament five times).
How did Brazil qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Brazil qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026 after finishing in fifth-place of the CONMEBOL group which sees ten nations play a round-robin format with the top six finishers automatically qualifying for FIFA World Cup 2026.
After 18 games, Brazil finished on 28 points with eight wins, four draws and six defeats, level on points with Colombia, Uruguay and Paraguay but most importantly, eight points clear of sixth-placed finishers Bolivia.
Confirmation of Brazil’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification came on June 10, 2025 after a 1-0 win at home to Paraguay. Carlo Ancelotti wasn’t in charge for any of Brazil’s qualification fixtures, with Dorival Junior overseeing what was an underwhelming campaign, albeit one in which Barcelona star Raphinha began to establish himself as a key man for the national team with five goals.
Who are Brazil’s star players?
The aforementioned Raphinha (Barcelona) will be one of the key figures in the Brazil attack. Top scorer in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League and La Liga Player of the Season in the same year, the direct winger capable of playing on either flank has fast established himself as one of the best wide players in the world.
On the opposite flank to Raphinha should be Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), a player capable of parachuting Brazil all the way to the final if he plays to the best of his ability over the course of this tournament. A former Ballon d’Or runner-up and FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball winner, expect Vinicius to be crucial piece in this Brazilian side under his former Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti, the pair having won two UEFA Champions League trophies together at the Spanish giants.
Whilst Brazil are notorious for their flamboyant attackers, Ancelotti should have a solid foundation on which to build from with a likely centre-back partnership of Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain) and Gabriel (Arsenal) behind captain Casemiro (Man Utd), with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson (Liverpool) between the sticks.
Perhaps the biggest name in the Brazil squad is someone who is unlikely to start with Neymar (Santos), their all-time top scorer, having been selected once again. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain man hasn’t featured for the Brazilians since October 2023 at the time of his FIFA World Cup 2026 call-up.
Who is in Brazil’s group at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Brazil are in Group C, which consists of the following teams:
Brazil
Morocco
Haiti
Scotland
Brazil’s Group C fixtures are as follows:
Brazil vs Morocco: Saturday June 13, 2026 – 6:00pm ET, 11:00pm UK
Brazil vs Haiti: Friday June 19, 2026 – 8:30pm ET, 1:30am UK (Saturday)
Scotland vs Brazil: Wednesday June 24, 2026 – 6:00pm ET, 11:00pm UK
Where is Brazil’s base camp at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Columbia Park, Morristown, New Jersey
Expert prediction for Brazil’s chances at FIFA World Cup 2026
As is always the case with the Brazilian national side, the expectation from back home and from many around the world will be for them to win the tournament and add a sixth star to their badge.
In tournament football, all that’s required is for a couple of your world class stars to catch fire, supported by a well put together structure and Brazil have the world class stars along with a coach that is more than likely to get the best out of them.
They have an intriguing group at FIFA World Cup 2026 with their opening clash against Morocco potentially indicative of just how good they are, especially given the rise of the Atlas Lions over the last half a decade or so and the fact that they defeated Brazil in their most recent clash back in 2023.
Should Brazil at least avoid defeat there then the expectation will be winning the group and that could well see them face projected Group L winners England in the quarter-finals, assuming both make it through the opening two knockout rounds. A quarter-final tie against the Three Lions is one that Brazil would relish and would likely have the advantage when considering the hot temperatures expected in Miami. However, whether Brazil have the depth and quality across the pitch to go all the way to the final, is less likely, particularly when you consider their midfield options compared to other big-name nations such as France, Portugal, Spain and Argentina.
What round will Brazil reach at FIFA World Cup 2026? Semi-Finals
