Brazil is the nation that has won the World Cup the most times. Tite’s team is the pre-tournament favourite to win in Qatar because the Selecao has won the competition five times. This winter, only a brave man would wager against them.
The demands placed on this intriguing version of the Selecao mean there’s always a possibility they could crash and burn, though this team has underperformed on the biggest stage since they last won the World Cup in 2002.
Brazil confirmed squad for the World Cup
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Ederson, Weverton
Defenders: Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo, Alex Telles, Alex Sandro, Eder Militao, Bremer
Midfielders: Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta, Bruno Guimarães, Fabinho, Fred, Everton Ribeiro
Forwards: Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Vinicius Junior, Antony, Richarlison, Raphinha, Pedro, Rodrygo, Gabriel Martinelli.
Going into the World Cup, injuries haven’t been too bad for Brazil. Richarlison, who was expected to start up front, suffered a calf injury in October but has since fully recovered and is prepared to play. Diego Carlos, a defender, will be out with an ACL tear, and Arthur Melo, a player who is prone to injury, will also be out with a thigh issue.
Players to watch
Marquinhos
The most formidable center-back pairing at the World Cup may come from Brazil. Marquinhos continues to be one of Europe’s most underappreciated defenders, while captain Thiago Silva continues to defy gravity in the Premier League. For many years, the PSG captain has been a cornerstone of the Brazilian defence, earning 71 caps in the process.
Casemiro
Casemiro is prepared to play alongside club fellow player Fred inside the middle of the field despite Brazil’s abundant supply of midfield talent. It is impossible to overstate Casemiro’s significance to Tite’s team given Fred’s inconsistent play in possession. He provides stability.
Neymar
The unquestionable leader of this team and a Ballon d’Or-winning player. Throughout his international career, Neymar has occasionally carried the Selecao alone, but in 2022, he is fortunate to have a stellar supporting cast. Just three goals will be needed for the PSG player to surpass Pele as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer.
Since losing to Argentina in the 2021 Copa America final, Brazil has not lost. Since then, they have competed in 15 games, having won 12 and drawing 3. They easily qualified for Qatar by finishing first in the qualifying table, and Tite’s team most recently displayed their talent in their autumn friendlies, easily defeating Tunisia and Ghana. In short, the pre-tournament favourites are confident going into Qatar.
Brazil has lied to the world under the spotlight for the past 20 years, but there’s something about this Selecao team that gives you hope that they’ll finally get their due. Argentina, who are Brazil’s fiercest rivals and may pose the greatest threat to Brazilian victory in Qatar, can only come close to matching the cohesion and harmony of Tite’s team. But the earliest that these two well-known rivals can face off is the semifinals.
Brazil must overcome a challenging group to advance to the knockout stage, but you’d have to believe this team can defeat anyone on their best day. Although Brazil still has a weakness at left-back, Tite has found the right balance, and it is difficult to predict that Brazil won’t win the tournament in Qatar.
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