Few names in football carry as much weight as Brazil does on the international stage, being undoubtedly the most successful nation there is. Over the years, the South American giants have won countless major titles, led by some of the greatest players of all time, establishing the nation as one of the leaders. What makes Brazil so unique compared to others is the flair they play with, with the samba-style becoming a brand for the nation. Their attack-focused football has attracted millions to the sport, making them one of the most exciting teams to watch in history.
The history of Brazilian football
One of the reasons Brazil is widely regarded as the leading nation on the international stage is its impressive World Cup record, having won five titles. Their triumphs have come in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002, setting a record that only Italy and Germany come close to, with four titles. Their incredible consistency is not only displayed in their World Cup victories but also in their impressive participation record, as the only nation to have featured in every World Cup since its creation.
Whilst they are primarily remembered for their World Cup glory, Brazil have also played a major role in the South American Championship (Copa América). Brazil have won this competition 9 times, placing them third in the all-time rankings, with only Argentina and Uruguay having more titles.
Recent struggles
In recent times, Brazil have faced notable challenges, looking like a shadow of their former self. Their last World Cup victory came in 2002, and since then it has been a period of struggle: they have reached the quarter-finals four times, finished fourth once, and never reached the final. This has been reflected in World Cup odds as they are no longer considered one of the favourites. For a nation with a lesser reputation, these results are considered respectable, though for a nation built on success, they are focused on the title only.
In the 2022 World Cup, Brazil entered the tournament as one of the favourites to win, with a squad full of quality and depth. Brazil faced Croatia in the quarter-finals, a nation regarded as past its best days and considered not to be at Brazil's level. The scores were tied after 90 minutes, prompting extra time, where both nations failed to score, meaning penalties would decide the tie. Croatia beat Brazil on penalties, sending the iconic footballing nation home in the quarter-finals once again.
Additionally, in the Copa America, Brazil are yet to win the competition since their triumph in 2019. In the 2021 Copa America, Brazil lost to Argentina on fine margins, 1-0. The most recent Copa America saw Brazil exit in the quarter-finals, after being beaten on penalties by Uruguay.
New structure under Ancelotti
After a successful career managing at the club level, reaching notable success with numerous top clubs across Europe, Ancelotti faces a new challenge with the Brazil national team. Ancelotti is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in the history of the sport, mostly remembered for his time at Real Madrid, where he won three UEFA Champions Leagues. He also managed AC Milan to two further Champions League trophies, showcasing his excellence in knockout competitions.
With Ancelotti’s large emphasis on attacking freedom with his players, it is expected that his time with the Brazil national team will be fruitful. The attacking freedom Ancelotti creates in his team aligns well with the traditions set throughout the history of the Brazil national team and has the potential to succeed with the attackers available to him.
Whilst having an attacking-focused approach, Ancelotti is renowned for the defensive solidity that comes with all his teams. In previous years, Brazil have had teams that lacked defensive solidity, which, under Ancelotti, can be expected to improve. Ancelotti’s teams are commonly hard to break down, compacting the dangerous areas of the pitch, which is essential for knockout-style football. Is essential.
Strong rivals standing in their way
As always, there are some established nations standing in the way of Brazil in their pursuit of the World Cup trophy. Major teams from around Europe and South America rival Brazil as the favourites, with Spain being tipped as the most likely to win, given bookmakers' odds. Spain are a team filled with quality, fresh off the back of victory in the Euros, who will be looking to win their second World Cup.
France are ever-present at the World Cup, having finished as runners-up in the previous edition and won the 2018 World Cup. The upcoming 2026 World Cup sees France as one of the favourites thanks to their incredible depth, with top-quality players in every position.
The reigning champions look towards the 2026 World Cup looking to achieve back-to-back triumph in the tournament, bringing another title to Argentina. Despite being an ageing squad, Argentina still look to be a challenge for Brazil to overcome in their travels.
