The defending champions of the World Cup, Brazil, are in a must-win match against an opponent yet to be determined. Despite their five-time titles, they have only won two out of their five qualifiers for the next tournament. This is not typical of Brazil as they are used to playing big games only during tournaments like the World Cup or Copa America. However, the intense pressure and anxiety caused by the current qualification campaign for the World Cup has affected them.
Brazil’s qualification campaign has been highly competitive with each team playing 18 matches over three years and only four automatic spaces at the tournament. With six South American teams qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament, Brazil currently sits fifth in the standings and is at risk of missing out on automatic qualification slots.
The starting XI for Brazil is filled with stars from European games as well as several young players who will join them in future matches. There are very few obvious weaknesses in this lineup, making their current position in the standings surprising.
Brazil’s fans expect them to win every World Cup without any doubt, but their qualification is not a guarantee. They should be using these games as preparation for the tournament rather than feeling so pressured. It remains unclear how they have reached this stage with such a strong team under such intense pressure.
As they head into their next crucial match, it’s clear that Brazil will need to perform at their best if they want to secure a place in the upcoming World Cup tournament. The competition is fierce and there are no guarantees of success, but with their talent and determination, they have what it takes to succeed once again on the international stage.