Joga Bonito. Beautiful game. Pelé did it. Zico did it. Ronaldo made it look easy. That yellow jersey carries five World Cup trophies worth of history. It also carries the weight of expectation. A lot of weight.
This squad has work to do. The last time they went all out in 2022. They exited in the quarterfinals. Qatar was cold. Their ranking? Sixth in the world. Lowest ever heading into a tournament. They’ve been everywhere before. This time. The bar is lower than their ceiling. But it’s still high.
Carlo Ancelotti says they can win it again. He’s confident. The attack has Vinícius Jr. Neymar. Raphinha. Talent is never the problem in Brazil. Execution usually is.
How they got here
Not exactly a fairy tale. They finished fifth in CONMEBOLS qualifying. Five? That feels weak. For Brazil. They lost six matches along the way. Barely convincing. Anyone watching thought they might slip up entirely. They didn’t. But barely.
The Italian job
Carlo Ancelotti. First non-Brazilian to coach the Seleção in a World Cup. Big deal. He’s won five Champions Leagues with European clubs. Juventus. Chelsea. PSG. Real Madrid. Bayern. He knows management.
Does he know the national team pressure? Maybe. He played for Italy in ’86 and ’90. Assistant in ’94 under Sacchi. He understands the stage. The 66-year old needs to translate club calm into national triumph. We will see.
The main man
Counterattacking is the plan. That means speed. Vinícius Jr is the engine. At Real Madrid. He sparkles. For Brazil? Eight goals in 47 caps. Not the same stats. Why? International soccer is different. But now he needs to deliver. Neymar has a calf issue. Restricted role expected. Pressure mounts. Viní needs to carry the threat.
The next generation
Everyone talks about Endrick. Real Madrid kid. Hype train is loud. I’m looking at Rayan. Rio born. Just turned 19. He joined Bournemouth in January. Replaced Antoine Semenyo. Scored five goals in 15 games. Quick adaptation.
Smart money is on Rayan emerging as the surprise star. His manager left for Liverpool. Rayan might follow. Or he might break out here. Either way. Keep your eyes on the former Vasco youth product.
The roster
Goalkeepers
Alisson (Liverpool). Ederson (Fenerbahçe). Weverton (Grêmio).
Defenders
Marquinhos (PSG). Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal). Éderson (Atalanta). Bremer (Juventus). Ibáñez (Al-Ahli). Léo Pereira. Danilo. Alex Sandro. Douglas Santos (Zenit).
Midfielders
Casemiro (Man United). Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle). Fabinho. Danilo Santos (Botafogo). Lucas Paquetá (Flamango). Raphinha (Barcelona). Neymar (Santos).
Forwards
Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid). Matheus Cunha. Luiz Henrique. Igor Thiago (Brentford). Endrick. Gabriel Martinelli. Rayan (Bournemouth).
Note. Some players listed twice or multiple positions in original text. The list above groups by typical role but retains the provided names and clubs. Raphinha and Neymar appear in midfield or attack depending on tactical usage. The core attack is clear.
Match schedule
Here is where you need to be. Group C is no walkover.
-
June 13
Brazil vs. Morocco
Kickoff: 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT
Stadium: New York New Jersey. MetLife Stadium.
US TV: FS1 or Telemundo. -
June 19
Brazil vs. Haiti
Kickoff: 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT
Stadium: Philadelphia. Lincoln Financial Field.
US TV: Likely FS1 given previous pattern but check listings. -
June 24
Brazil vs. Scotland
Kickoff: 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT
Stadium: Miami. Hard Rock Stadium.
US TV: FOX or Telemundo.
Watch it live
English speakers. Fox owns the rights. Games split between Fox and FS1. No cable? Don’t worry. YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV work. Cheapest bet? The Fox One streaming app. Get your subscription sorted early.
Spanish speakers. NBCUniversal has this locked. Telemundo shows 92 games. Universo takes the rest. Peacock streams it all. Dolby Vision. Atmos sound. Premium tech for a premium sport.
Will they bring a sixth star to Brazil? History says yes. Recent form says maybe. Ancelotti believes it. The crowd will believe it too. Or they won’t. The jersey decides.
What matters is June. And how the legs move when the whistle blows.
