World Cup 2022

Brazil are the most illustrious guests at any FIFA World Cup. They are international footballing royalty. They’re famed for their Samba style of play, boast the most tournament wins of anyone with five and have never, for any reason, failed to qualify for the finals—and they’re the only ones that can claim that.

Who is the Brazil manager?

Naturally, then, conversations surrounding Brazil at the World Cup are framed around whether they’ll win it. Manager Tite, like those that came before him, carry heavy expectations from back home and they’re expectations he’s largely struggled to meet so far if you’re counting trophies.

But Brazil have faith in him. You can tell that simply by the fact he’s held this post for six years now; most only last a couple. That said, it’s time for him to deliver; this is a nation impatient for its 6th star.

 

What tactics can we expect from them at the World Cup?

If he manages it, he probably won’t do it in classic Brazil style. Tite’s tactics can be pretty balanced, compact at times, but fun when the attack gets going, due to the presence of some incredible technical footballers.

It’s quite hard to define what the formation is using numbers as the midfield parts move about frequently, but the base structure looks like a 4-2-3-1, with Casemiro and one other patrolling the middle and screening the defence.

We might see Eder Militao, a natural centre-back, at right-back, and the wingers Tite selects tend to be of the hardworking variety, who get back to help their full-back.

Who are the players to watch for Brazil?

Make no mistake: The attack can flower as and when it needs to, but this Brazil side are built on solid foundations.

That means individual moments from the attacking cast can and probably will decide games, and this is a responsibility Vinicius Jr loves. 

He’s had an incredible year and a half at Real Madrid and in that time has blossomed into one of the world’s most devastating wide forwards. His mazy dribbling and improved finishing has seen him become a star at the Bernabeu but that hasn’t fully translated to the Selecao shirt yet. With just one goal in 16 appearances, he’s got something of a record to set straight.

Who is favourite to be top scorer for Brazil?

Speaking of setting records straight, Brazil’s best player and main goalscorer Neymar carries the nation’s pressure almost solely on his shoulders at times.

A good tournament here could see him eclipse Pele in Brazil’s all-time scoring charts, and for that player to finish up with zero World Cups to his name is borderline unfathomable.

He scored eight in qualifying, playing either as the 10 or as a sort of false nine, given freedom to roam, link and push a creative licence to the max. He’ll be at the heart of everything good the Selecao construct in attack.

How did Brazil qualify for the World Cup?

Brazil’s qualification for this tournament - top of CONMEBOL, unbeaten with 14 wins from 17 games - will mean they’re very confident of starting fast in Qatar.

They survived all manner of tests during that run, including a trip to arch-rivals Argentina, the suffocating altitudes of Bolivia, and even an on-pitch invasion by their own health authorities, who accused opponents of breaching COVID-19 policy. Surely, after all that, a bit of heat in the Middle East will be a walk in the park.

What are the ambitions for this Brazil team?

More than 200 million fans back home, plus the loyal travelling thousands present in the Gulf, will certainly hope so. Brazil’s ambition and expectation is to win this World Cup, nothing less, and there’s real optimism that Neymar and Tite can deliver it.

Brazil World Cup Odds

You can never be sure in knockout football, but at 4/1 favourites the Selecao are good value for these odds and hold legitimate hope of adding that 6th star to the crest.

Brazil World Cup prediction from oddschecker

Tite’s Brazil side are stacked with exciting young talent who, on their day, could beat anyone. However, although they have experienced individuals within their ranks, we feel as a whole they are a young team without serious tournament experience.

With think because of this they’ll fail to make the final and will be knocked out in the semi-finals by a more experienced team.