Brazil national football team

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Brazil
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Seleção (The Selection)
Canarinho (Little Canary)
Amarelinha (Little Yellow)
Verde-Amarela (Green-Yellow)
AssociationConfederação Brasileira de Futebol
(Brazilian Football Confederation)
ConfederationCONMEBOL (South America)
Head coachDorival Júnior
CaptainDanilo
Most capsCafu (142)[1][2]
Top scorerNeymar (79)
Home stadiumVarious
FIFA codeBRA
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 5 Steady (24 October 2024)[3]
Highest1 (159 times on 8 occasions[4])
Lowest22 (6 June 2013)
First international
 Argentina 3–0 Brazil 
(Buenos Aires, Argentina; 20 September 1914)[5][6]
Biggest win
 Brazil 10–1 Bolivia 
(São Paulo, Brazil; 10 April 1949)[7]
 Brazil 9–0 Colombia 
(Lima, Peru; 24 March 1957)
Biggest defeat
 Uruguay 6−0 Brazil 
(Viña del Mar, Chile; 18 September 1920)
 Brazil 1−7 Germany 
(Belo Horizonte, Brazil; 8 July 2014)[8]
World Cup
Appearances22 (first in 1930)
Best resultChampions (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
Copa América
Appearances38 (first in 1916)
Best resultChampions (1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2019)
Panamerican Championship
Appearances3 (first in 1952)
Best resultChampions (1952, 1956)
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Appearances3 (first in 1996)
Best resultRunners-up (1996, 2003)
Confederations Cup
Appearances7 (first in 1997)
Best resultChampions (1997, 2005, 2009, 2013)
Websitecbf.com.br/selecao-brasileira

The Brazil national football team (Portuguese: Seleção Brasileira de Futebol), nicknamed Seleção Canarinho ("Canary Squad", after their bright yellow jersey), represents Brazil in men's international football and is administered by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), the governing body for football in Brazil. They have been a member of FIFA since 1923 and a member of CONMEBOL since 1916.

Brazil is the most successful national team in the FIFA World Cup, being crowned winner five times: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. The Seleção also has the best overall performance in the World Cup competition, both in proportional and absolute terms, with a record of 76 victories in 114 matches played, 129 goal difference, 247 points, and 19 losses.[11][12] It is the only national team to have played in all World Cup editions without any absence nor need for playoffs,[13] and the only team to have won the World Cup in four different continents: once in Europe (1958 Sweden), once in South America (1962 Chile), twice in North America (1970 Mexico and 1994 United States), and once in Asia (2002 South Korea/Japan). Brazil was also the most successful team in the now-defunct FIFA Confederations Cup, winning it four times, in 1997, 2005, 2009, and 2013. With the capture of the gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics,[14] Brazil has become one of only two countries, the others being France, to have won all men's FIFA 11-player competitions at all age levels.[15][16][17][18][14]

In ranking standings, Brazil has the highest average football Elo rating, and the fourth all-time peak football Elo rating, established in 2022.[19] In FIFA's ranking system Brazil holds the record for most Team of the Year first ranking wins with 13.[20] Many commentators, experts, and former players have considered the Brazil team of 1970 to be the greatest team of all time.[21][22][23][24][25] Other Brazilian teams are also highly esteemed and regularly appear listed among the best teams of all time, such as the Brazil teams of 1958–62 and the squads of the 1994–02 period, with honorary mentions for the gifted 1982 side.[26][27][28][29] In 1996, the Brazil national team achieved 35 consecutive matches undefeated, a feat which they held as a world record for 25 years.[30]

Brazil has developed many rivalries through the years, with the most notable ones being with Argentina—known as the Superclássico das Américas in Portuguese, Italy—known as the Clássico Mundial in Portuguese or the World Derby in English,[31][32] Uruguay—known as the Clássico do Rio Negro, due to the traumatic Maracanazo,[33] and the Netherlands due to several important meetings between the two teams at several World Cups.

History

[edit]

Early history (1914–1922)

[edit]
The first Brazil national team, 1914
Brazil's first match at home against Exeter City in 1914

It is generally believed that the inaugural game of the Brazil national football[34] team was a 1914 match between a Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo select team and the English club Exeter City, held in Fluminense's stadium.[35][36] Brazil won 2–0 with goals by Oswaldo Gomes and Osman,[35][36][37] though it is claimed that the match was a 3–3 draw.[38][39]

In contrast to its future success, the national team's early appearances were not brilliant. Other early matches played during that time include several friendly games against Argentina (being defeated 3–0), Chile (first in 1916) and Uruguay (first on 12 July 1916).[40] However, led by the goalscoring abilities of Arthur Friedenreich, they were victorious at home in the South American Championships in 1919, repeating their victory, also at home, in 1922.

First World Cup and title drought (1930–1949)

[edit]

In 1930, Brazil played in the first World Cup, held in Uruguay. The squad defeated Bolivia but lost to Yugoslavia, being eliminated from the competition at group stage.[41] They lost in the first round to Spain in 1934 in Italy, but reached the semi-finals in France in 1938, being defeated 2–1 by eventual winners Italy. Brazil were the only South American team to participate in this competition.

The 1949 South American Championship held in Brazil ended a 27-year streak without official titles.[42] The last one was in the 1922 South American Championship, also played on Brazilian soil.[42]

The 1950 Maracanazo

[edit]
Brazil national team at the 1950 World Cup. National Archives of Brazil.

After that, Brazil first achieved international prominence when it hosted the 1950 FIFA World Cup. The team went into the last game of the final round, against Uruguay at Estádio do Maracanã in Rio, needing only a draw to win the World Cup. Uruguay, however, won the match and the Cup in a game known as "the Maracanazo". The match led to a period of national mourning.[43]

For the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, Brazil was then almost completely renovated, with the team colours changed (to a new design by Aldyr Schlee) from all white to the yellow, blue and green of the national flag, to forget the Maracanazo, but still had a group of star players. Brazil reached the quarter-final, where they were beaten 4–2 by tournament favourites Hungary in one of the ugliest matches in football history, known as the "Battle of Berne".[44]

Pelé and the First Golden Era (1958–1970)

[edit]
The Brazil national team at the 1959 Copa América

For the 1958 World Cup, Brazil were drawn in a group with England, the USSR and Austria. They beat Austria 3–0 in their first match, then drew 0–0 with England. Before the match, coach Vicente Feola made three substitutions that were crucial for Brazil to defeat the Soviets: Zito, Garrincha and Pelé. From the kick-off, they kept up the pressure relentlessly, and after three minutes, which were later described as "the greatest three minutes in the history of football",[45] Vavá gave Brazil the lead. They won the match by 2–0. Pelé scored the only goal of their quarter-final match against Wales, and they beat France 5–2 in the semi-final. Brazil then beat Sweden 5–2 in the final, winning their first World Cup and becoming the first nation to win a World Cup title outside of its own continent. Pelé described it tearfully as a nation coming of age.[46]

Defending champions Brazil at the 1962 FIFA World Cup

In the 1962 World Cup, Brazil earned its second title with Garrincha as the star player, a mantle and responsibility laid upon him after the regular talisman, Pelé, was injured during the second group match against Czechoslovakia and unable to play for the rest of the tournament.[47][48]

In the 1966 World Cup, Brazil had their worst performance in a World Cup. The 1966 tournament was remembered for its excessively physical play, and Pelé was one of the players most affected. Against Portugal, several violent tackles by the Portuguese defenders caused forward player Pelé to leave the match and the tournament. Brazil lost this match and was eliminated in the first round of the World Cup for the first time since 1934. They have not failed to reach the knockout stages of the competition since. Brazil became the second nation to be eliminated in the first round while holding the World Cup crown following Italy in 1950. After the 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups, France, Italy, Spain and Germany were also added to this list. After the tournament, Pelé declared that he did not wish to play in the World Cup again. Nonetheless, he returned in 1970.[49]

The 1970 FIFA World Cup-winning Brazil team, considered by many distinguished commentators as the greatest football team ever

Brazil won its third World Cup in Mexico in 1970. It fielded what has been widely considered the best World Cup football squad ever,[21][22][23][26] led by Pelé in his last World Cup finals, captain Carlos Alberto Torres, Jairzinho, Tostão, Gérson and Rivellino. Even though Garrincha had retired, this team was still a force to be reckoned with. They won all six of their games—against Czechoslovakia, England and Romania during group play, and against Peru, Uruguay and Italy in the knockout rounds. Jairzinho was the second top scorer with seven goals, and is the only player to score in every match in a World Cup; Pelé finished with four goals. Brazil lifted the Jules Rimet trophy for the third time (the first nation to do so), which meant that they were allowed to keep it. A replacement was then commissioned, though it would be 24 years before Brazil won it again.[50]

The dry spell (1974–1990)

[edit]

After the international retirement of Pelé and other stars from the 1970 squad, Brazil was not able to overcome the Netherlands at the 1974 World Cup in West Germany, and finished in fourth place after losing the third place game to Poland.[51]

In the second group stage of the 1978 World Cup, Brazil competed with tournament hosts Argentina for top spot and a place in the finals. In their last group match, Brazil defeated Poland 3–1 to go to the top of the group with a goal difference of +5. Argentina had a goal difference of +2, but in its last group match, it defeated Peru 6–0, and thus qualified for the final in a match accused of ultimately-unproven match fixing. Brazil subsequently beat Italy in the third place play-off, and were the only team to remain unbeaten in the tournament.

At the 1982 World Cup, held in Spain, Brazil were the tournament favorites, and easily moved through the early part of the draw, but a 3–2 defeat in Barcelona to Italy, in a classic World Cup match, eliminated them from the tournament in the match that they refer to as "Sarriá's Tragedy", referencing the stadium's name.[52][53] The 1982 team, with a midfield of Sócrates, Zico, Falcão and Éder, is remembered as perhaps the greatest team never to win a World Cup.[27]

Several players, including Sócrates and Zico, from 1982 returned to play at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Brazil, still a very good team and more disciplined defensively than four years earlier, met the Michel Platini-led France in the quarter-finals in a classic of Total Football. The game played to a 1–1 draw in regulation time, and after a goalless extra time, it all came down to a penalty shoot-out, where Brazil was defeated 4–3.

After a 40-year hiatus, Brazil was victorious in the 1989 Copa América, this being their fourth victory in four tournaments hosted in Brazil. This achievement ended Brazil's 19-year streak without an official championship since the 1970 World Cup.

At the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Brazil was coached by Sebastião Lazaroni, who had been the coach in the 1989 Copa América. With a defensive scheme, whose main symbol was midfielder Dunga, forward Careca and three centre-backs, the team lacked creativity but made it to the second round. Brazil was eliminated by Diego Maradona-led Argentina in the round of 16 in Turin, losing to their South American archrivals 1–0.[54]

The Second Golden Era (1994–2002)

[edit]
Ronaldo_2002_cropped
Brazil's Ronaldo in the 2002 FIFA World Cup

Brazil went 24 years without winning a World Cup or even participating in a final. Their struggles ended at the 1994 tournament in the United States, where a solid side headed by Romário and Bebeto in attack, captain Dunga in midfield, goalkeeper Cláudio Taffarel and defender Jorginho, won the World Cup for a then-record fourth time. Highlights of their campaign included a 1–0 victory over the United States in the round of 16 at Stanford University, a 3–2 win over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals in Dallas, and a 1–0 victory over Sweden in the semi-finals at Pasadena's Rose Bowl. This set up Brazil–Italy in the final in Pasadena. A game played in searing heat which ended as a goalless draw, with Italy's defence led by Franco Baresi keeping out Romário, penalty kicks loomed, and Brazil became champions with Roberto Baggio missing Italy's last penalty.[55] Despite the triumph, the 1994 World Cup winning team is not held in the same high esteem in Brazil as their other World Cup winning teams. FourFourTwo magazine labelled the 1994 team "unloved" in Brazil due to their pragmatic, defensive style over the more typical Brazilian style of attacking flair.[50]

Entering the 1998 World Cup as defending champions, Brazil finished runner-up. Having topped their group and won the next two rounds, Brazil beat the Netherlands on penalties in the semi-final following a 1–1 draw. Player of the tournament Ronaldo scored four goals and made three assists en route to the final. The build up to the final itself was overshadowed by Ronaldo suffering a convulsive fit only hours before kick off.[56] The starting line up without Ronaldo was released to a shocked world media, but after pleading that he felt fine and requested to play, Ronaldo was reinstated by the coach, before giving a below par performance as France, led by Zidane, won 3–0.[57]

2002 World Cup winning Brazil national football team airplane in Brazilian team livery

Fuelled by the "Three R's" (Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho), Brazil won its fifth championship at the 2002 World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan. Brazil beat all three opponents in group play in South Korea and topped the group. In Brazil's opening game against Turkey, in Ulsan, Rivaldo fell to the ground clutching his face after Turkey's Hakan Ünsal had kicked the ball at his legs. Rivaldo escaped suspension but was fined £5,180 for play-acting, and became the first player ever to be punished in FIFA's crackdown on diving. In their knockout round matches in Japan, Brazil defeated Belgium 2–0 in Kobe in the round of 16. Brazil defeated England 2–1 in the quarter-finals in Shizuoka, with the winning goal coming from an unexpected free-kick by Ronaldinho from 40 yards out.[58] The semi-final was against Turkey in Saitama; Brazil won 1–0. The final was between Germany and Brazil in Yokohama, where Ronaldo scored two goals in Brazil's 2–0 triumph.[59] Ronaldo also won the Golden Shoe as the tournament's leading scorer with 8 goals.[60] Brazil's success saw them receive the Laureus World Sports Award for Team of the Year.[61]

Brazil won the 2004 Copa América, their third win in four competitions since 1997.[62] Brazil also won the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup for the second time.[63] Manager Carlos Alberto Parreira built his side through a 4–2–2–2 formation. Nicknamed the "Magic quartet", the attack was built around four players: Ronaldo, Adriano, Kaká and Ronaldinho.[64]

World Cup drought (2006–present)

[edit]
Brazil and Japan entering the field at the 2006 FIFA World Cup

In the 2006 World Cup, Brazil won their three group games against Croatia (1–0), Australia (2–0) and Japan (4–1).[65] Ronaldo scored twice and equalled the record for the most goals scored across all World Cups. In the round of 16, Brazil beat Ghana 3–0.[66] Ronaldo's goal was his 15th in World Cup history, breaking the record.[66] Brazil, however, were eliminated in the quarter-finals against France, losing 1–0 to a Thierry Henry goal.[64]

Dunga was appointed as Brazil's new team manager in 2006.[67] Brazil then won the 2007 Copa América.[68] Two years later, Brazil won the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, defeating the U.S. 3–2 in the final, to seal their third Confederations Cup title.[69]

Brazil's Kaká against Chile at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa

At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Brazil won their first two matches against North Korea (2–1) and the Ivory Coast (3–1), respectively.[70] Their last match, against Portugal, ended in a 0–0 draw.[70] They faced Chile in the round of 16, winning 3–0, although in the quarter-final they fell to the Netherlands 2–1.[70][71]

In July 2010, Mano Menezes was named as Brazil's new coach.[72] At the 2011 Copa América, Brazil lost against Paraguay and was eliminated in the quarter-finals.[73] In November 2012, coach Mano Menezes was sacked and replaced by Luiz Felipe Scolari.[74][75]

Brazilian players celebrate winning the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. The team had five wins in five matches.

On 6 June 2013, Brazil was ranked 22nd in the FIFA ranking, their lowest-ever rank.[76] At the 2013 Confederations Cup, Brazil defended their title, beating Spain in the final,[77] winning 3–0 and sealing their fourth Confederations Cup title.[78][79]

2014 FIFA World Cup

[edit]

In the opening match of the 2014 World Cup against Croatia, two goals from Neymar and one from Oscar saw the Seleção off to a winning start in their first World Cup on home soil in 64 years.[80] The team then drew with Mexico, before confirming qualification to the knockout stage by defeating Cameroon 4–1.[81][82] Brazil faced Chile in the round of 16, needing penalties to prevail to the next round following a 1–1 draw.[83]

Brazil line up against Colombia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Neymar (front row, second from right) would play his last game at the tournament after being stretchered off with a fractured vertebra.

The team again faced South American opposition in the quarter-final, defeating Colombia 2–1. However, late in the match, Neymar was stretchered off after suffering a fractured vertebra, ruling him out for the remainder of the tournament.[84]

The Seleção went on to lose 7–1 to the Germans – their biggest ever defeat at the World Cup and first home loss in a competitive match since 1975.[85] The match has been nicknamed the Mineirazo, making reference to the nation's previous World Cup defeat on home soil, the Maracanazo against Uruguay in 1950, and the Estádio do Mineirão where the match took place.[86] Brazil subsequently lost 3–0 to the Netherlands in the third-place play-off match.[87][88] Following the tournament, Scolari announced his resignation.[89]

Return of Dunga (2014–2016)

[edit]
Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning captain, Dunga, was coach from 2006 to 2010 and 2014 to 2016.

On 22 July 2014, Dunga was announced as the new manager of Brazil, returning to the position for the first time since the team's exit at the 2010 World Cup.[90]

At the 2015 Copa América, Brazil finished first in Group C to advance to the knockout stages.[91] However, they were eliminated in the next round, losing on penalties to Paraguay.[92]

At the 2016 Copa América Centenario, Brazil began the tournament with a goalless draw with Ecuador before beating Haiti 7–1 in the next match.[93] Needing only a draw to progress to the knockout stage of the tournament, Brazil suffered a controversial 1–0 loss to Peru, with Raúl Ruidíaz scoring in the 75th minute.[94] This defeat saw Brazil eliminated from the tournament in the group stage for the first time since 1987.[95][96]

2016–present

[edit]
Brazil team prior to their group game against Costa Rica at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia
Brazil supporters at the 2018 World Cup

On 14 June 2016, Tite replaced Dunga as manager of Brazil.[97][98] At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Brazil finished top of their group.[99] After defeating Mexico in the round of 16,[100] Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Belgium, losing 2–1.[101][102][103] Despite elimination from the tournament, Tite remained as head coach ahead of the 2019 Copa América held on home soil. He would lead Brazil to their first Copa América title since 2007. After beating rivals Argentina 2–0 in the semi-finals,[104] Brazil beat Peru in the final to win their ninth Copa América title.[105]

At the 2021 Copa América, Brazil reached the final match again, but this time they were defeated by Argentina 1–0 in the Maracana Stadium.[106]

At the 2022 World Cup, Brazil finished first in their group.[107] The team then faced South Korea in the round of 16, winning with a 3-goal margin,[108] and progressed to the quarter-finals where they eventually lost 4–2 on penalties to Croatia.[109] Following their exit from the World Cup, Tite resigned as head coach.[110]

At the 2024 Copa América, Brazil were eliminated on penalties by Uruguay in the quarter-finals following a 0–0 draw.[111]

Team image

[edit]

Uniforms

[edit]

Brazil's first team colors were white with blue collars, but following the defeat at Maracanã in the 1950 World Cup, the colors were criticized for lacking patriotism. With permission from the Brazilian Sports Confederation, the newspaper Correio da Manhã held a competition to design a new kit incorporating the four colors of the Brazilian flag.[112] The winning design was a yellow jersey with green trim and blue shorts with white trim drawn by Aldyr Garcia Schlee, a nineteen-year-old from Pelotas.[112] The new colors were first used in March 1954 in a match against Chile, and have been used ever since. Topper were the manufacturers of Brazil's kit up to and including the match against Wales on 11 September 1991; Umbro took over before the next match, versus Yugoslavia in October 1991.[113] Nike began making Brazil kits in late 1996, in time for the 1997 Copa América and the 1998 World Cup.[114]

The use of blue and white as the second kit colors owes its origins to the defunct latter-day Portuguese monarchy and dates from the 1930s, but it became the permanent second choice accidentally in the 1958 World Cup Final. Brazil's opponents were Sweden, who also wore yellow, and a draw gave the home team, Sweden, the right to play in yellow. Brazil, who traveled with no second kit, hurriedly purchased a set of blue shirts and sewed the badges taken from their yellow shirts on them.[115]

Kit sponsorship

[edit]
Kit supplier Period Contract
announcement
Contract
duration
Value Ref.
None 1908–1954
Japan Athleta 1954–1977 1954–1977 None [116]
Germany Adidas 1977–1981 1977–1981
Brazil Topper 1981–1991 1981–1991
England Umbro 1991–1996 1991–1996
United States Nike 1997–present December 1996 1997–2007 Total $200 million~$250 million [117]
Unknown 2008–2026 €69.5 million per year [118]

Nicknames

[edit]

The Brazil national team is known by different names in various parts of the world. Nicknames for the squad in Brazil include:

  • Canarinho, meaning 'Little Canary', a reference to a species of bird commonly found in Brazil that has a vivid yellow color, this phrase was popularized by the late cartoonist Fernando "Mangabeira" Pieruccetti during the 1950 World Cup despite the team not wearing the color yet back then[119]
  • Amarelinha (Little Yellow One)
  • Seleção (The National Squad)
  • Verde-amarela (The Green and Yellow)
  • Pentacampeão (Five-time Champions)[120]
  • Esquadrão de Ouro (The Golden Squad)

Some Latin American commentators often refer to the Brazil team as El Scratch (The Scratch), among others.[121] In 2022 FIFA World Cup, FIFA's YouTube channel referred to the team as Samba Boys.[122][123]

Training camp

[edit]
Granja Comary complex is the training camp of the national team.

Brazil's training camp is the Granja Comary in Teresópolis, located 90 km (56 mi) from Rio de Janeiro.[124] Granja Comary was opened in 1987,[125] and underwent significant renovations in 2013 and 2014.

Results and fixtures

[edit]

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

[edit]
16 November 2023 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Colombia  2–1  Brazil Barranquilla, Colombia
19:00 UTC−5
  • Díaz 75', 79'
Report Stadium: Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez
Attendance: 44,604
Referee: Andrés Matonte (Uruguay)
21 November 2023 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Brazil  0–1  Argentina Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
21:30 UTC−3 Report Stadium: Maracanã
Attendance: 68,138
Referee: Piero Maza (Chile)

2024

[edit]
23 March 2024 Friendly England  0–1  Brazil London, England
19:00 UTC±0 Report
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 83,467
Referee: Artur Soares Dias (Portugal)
26 March 2024 Friendly Spain  3–3  Brazil Madrid, Spain
21:30 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu
Attendance: 65,000
Referee: João Pinheiro (Portugal)
8 June 2024 Friendly Mexico  2–3  Brazil College Station, United States
20:00 UTC−5
Report
Stadium: Kyle Field
Attendance: 85,249
Referee: Lukasz Szpala (United States)
12 June 2024 Friendly United States  1–1  Brazil Orlando, United States
19:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Camping World Stadium
Attendance: 60,016
Referee: Saíd Martínez (Honduras)
24 June 2024 2024 Copa América Group D Brazil  0–0  Costa Rica Inglewood, United States
18:00 UTC−7 Report Stadium: SoFi Stadium
Attendance: 67,158
Referee: César Arturo Ramos (Mexico)
28 June 2024 2024 Copa América Group D Paraguay  1–4  Brazil Paradise, United States
18:00 UTC−7 Report
Stadium: Allegiant Stadium
Attendance: 46,939
Referee: Piero Maza (Chile)
2 July 2024 2024 Copa América Group D Brazil  1–1  Colombia Santa Clara, United States
18:00 UTC−7 Report
Stadium: Levi's Stadium
Attendance: 70,971
Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela)
6 September 2024 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Brazil  1–0  Ecuador Curitiba, Brazil
22:00 UTC−3
Report Stadium: Estádio Couto Pereira
Attendance: 36,914
Referee: Facundo Tello (Argentina)
10 September 2024 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Paraguay  1–0  Brazil Asunción, Paraguay
20:30 UTC−4 Report Stadium: Estadio Defensores del Chaco
Attendance: 31,962
Referee: Andrés Matonte (Uruguay)
10 October 2024 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Chile  1–2  Brazil Santiago, Chile
21:00 UTC−3
Report Stadium: Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos
Attendance: 43,059
Referee: Darío Herrera (Argentina)
15 October 2024 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Brazil  4–0  Peru Brasília, Brazil
21:45 UTC−3 Raphinha 38' (pen.), 54' (pen.)
Pereira 71'
Luiz Henrique 74'
Report Stadium: Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha
Attendance: 60,139
Referee: Esteban Ostojich (Uruguay)

2025

[edit]
20 March 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Brazil  v  Colombia Brazil
--:-- -
25 March 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Argentina  v  Brazil Argentina
--:-- -
6 June 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Ecuador  v  Brazil Ecuador
--:-- -
10 June 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Brazil  v  Paraguay Brazil
--:-- -
4 September 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Brazil  v  Chile Brazil
--:-- -
9 September 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Bolivia  v  Brazil Bolivia
--:-- -

Coaching staff

[edit]
Position Name Ref
Head coach Dorival Júnior [126]
Assistant coaches Lucas Silvestre [127]
Pedro Sotero [127]
Analysts Guilherme Lyra [127]
João Marcos Soares [127]
Thomas Koerich [128]
Goalkeeping coaches Cláudio Taffarel [128]
Marco Antônio Trocourt [128]
Fitness coach Celso Rezende [127]
Physiologist Guilherme Passos [128]
Doctor Rodrigo Lasmar [129]
Coordinator Juan [130]
General coordinator Rodrigo Caetano [131]

Players

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]

The following 23 players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Venezuela and Uruguay on 14 and 19 November 2024, respectively.[132]

Caps and goals are correct as of 15 October 2024, after the match against Peru.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Ederson (1993-08-17) 17 August 1993 (age 31) 27 0 England Manchester City
1GK Weverton (1987-12-13) 13 December 1987 (age 36) 10 0 Brazil Palmeiras
1GK Bento (1999-06-10) 10 June 1999 (age 25) 2 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Nassr

2DF Marquinhos (1994-05-14) 14 May 1994 (age 30) 93 7 France Paris Saint-Germain
2DF Danilo (captain) (1991-07-15) 15 July 1991 (age 33) 64 1 Italy Juventus
2DF Éder Militão (1998-01-18) 18 January 1998 (age 26) 35 2 Spain Real Madrid
2DF Gabriel Magalhães (1997-12-19) 19 December 1997 (age 26) 11 1 England Arsenal
2DF Guilherme Arana (1997-04-14) 14 April 1997 (age 27) 11 0 Brazil Atlético Mineiro
2DF Vanderson (2001-06-21) 21 June 2001 (age 23) 3 0 France Monaco
2DF Abner (2000-05-27) 27 May 2000 (age 24) 2 0 France Lyon
2DF Murillo (2002-07-04) 4 July 2002 (age 22) 0 0 England Nottingham Forest

3MF Lucas Paquetá (1997-08-27) 27 August 1997 (age 27) 53 11 England West Ham United
3MF Bruno Guimarães (1997-11-16) 16 November 1997 (age 26) 30 1 England Newcastle United
3MF André (2001-07-16) 16 July 2001 (age 23) 9 0 England Wolverhampton Wanderers
3MF Andreas Pereira (1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 28) 9 2 England Fulham
3MF Gerson (1997-05-20) 20 May 1997 (age 27) 9 0 Brazil Flamengo

4FW Vinícius Júnior (2000-07-12) 12 July 2000 (age 24) 35 5 Spain Real Madrid
4FW Rodrygo (2001-01-09) 9 January 2001 (age 23) 31 7 Spain Real Madrid
4FW Raphinha (1996-12-14) 14 December 1996 (age 27) 29 9 Spain Barcelona
4FW Savinho (2004-04-10) 10 April 2004 (age 20) 9 1 England Manchester City
4FW Luiz Henrique (2001-01-02) 2 January 2001 (age 23) 4 2 Brazil Botafogo
4FW Estêvão (2007-04-24) 24 April 2007 (age 17) 2 0 Brazil Palmeiras
4FW Igor Jesus (2001-02-25) 25 February 2001 (age 23) 2 1 Brazil Botafogo

Recent call-ups

[edit]

The following players have also been called up to the Brazil squad in the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Alisson (1992-10-02) 2 October 1992 (age 32) 71 0 England Liverpool v.  Chile, 10 October 2024 INJ
GK Rafael (1989-06-23) 23 June 1989 (age 35) 0 0 Brazil São Paulo 2024 Copa América
GK Léo Jardim (1995-03-20) 20 March 1995 (age 29) 0 0 Brazil Vasco da Gama v.  Spain, 26 March 2024
GK Lucas Perri (1997-12-10) 10 December 1997 (age 26) 0 0 France Lyon v.  Argentina, 21 November 2023

DF Alex Telles (1992-12-15) 15 December 1992 (age 31) 12 0 Brazil Botafogo v.  Peru, 15 October 2024
DF Lucas Beraldo (2003-11-24) 24 November 2003 (age 20) 3 0 France Paris Saint-Germain v.  Peru, 15 October 2024
DF Fabrício Bruno (1996-02-12) 12 February 1996 (age 28) 2 0 Brazil Flamengo v.  Peru, 15 October 2024
DF Bremer (1997-03-18) 18 March 1997 (age 27) 5 0 Italy Juventus v.  Chile, 10 October 2024 INJ
DF Wendell (1993-07-20) 20 July 1993 (age 31) 6 0 Portugal Porto v.  Paraguay, 10 September 2024
DF William (1995-04-03) 3 April 1995 (age 29) 0 0 Brazil Cruzeiro v.  Paraguay, 10 September 2024
DF Yan Couto (2002-06-03) 3 June 2002 (age 22) 4 0 Germany Borussia Dortmund v.  Ecuador, 6 September 2024 INJ
DF Ayrton Lucas (1997-06-19) 19 June 1997 (age 27) 2 0 Brazil Flamengo v.  Spain, 26 March 2024
DF Murilo Cerqueira (1997-03-27) 27 March 1997 (age 27) 0 0 Brazil Palmeiras v.  Spain, 26 March 2024
DF Renan Lodi (1998-04-08) 8 April 1998 (age 26) 19 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal v.  Argentina, 21 November 2023
DF Emerson Royal (1999-01-14) 14 January 1999 (age 25) 10 0 Italy Milan v.  Argentina, 21 November 2023
DF Carlos Augusto (1999-01-07) 7 January 1999 (age 25) 2 0 Italy Internazionale v.  Argentina, 21 November 2023
DF Nino (1997-04-10) 10 April 1997 (age 27) 1 0 Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg v.  Argentina, 21 November 2023

MF Matheus Pereira (1996-05-05) 5 May 1996 (age 28) 1 0 Brazil Cruzeiro v.  Peru, 15 October 2024
MF João Gomes (2001-02-12) 12 February 2001 (age 23) 9 0 England Wolverhampton Wanderers v.  Paraguay, 10 September 2024
MF Douglas Luiz (1998-05-09) 9 May 1998 (age 26) 18 0 Italy Juventus 2024 Copa América
MF Éderson (1999-07-07) 7 July 1999 (age 25) 2 0 Italy Atalanta 2024 Copa América
MF Pablo Maia (2002-01-10) 10 January 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Brazil São Paulo v.  Spain, 26 March 2024
MF Casemiro (1992-02-23) 23 February 1992 (age 32) 75 7 England Manchester United v.  England, 23 March 2024 INJ
MF Raphael Veiga (1995-06-19) 19 June 1995 (age 29) 6 0 Brazil Palmeiras v.  Argentina, 21 November 2023
MF Joelinton (1996-08-14) 14 August 1996 (age 28) 5 1 England Newcastle United v.  Argentina, 21 November 2023

FW Gabriel Martinelli (2001-06-18) 18 June 2001 (age 23) 14 2 England Arsenal v.  Peru, 15 October 2024
FW Endrick (2006-07-21) 21 July 2006 (age 18) 13 3 Spain Real Madrid v.  Peru, 15 October 2024
FW Lucas Moura (1992-08-13) 13 August 1992 (age 32) 37 4 Brazil São Paulo v.  Paraguay, 10 September 2024
FW João Pedro (2001-09-26) 26 September 2001 (age 23) 2 0 England Brighton & Hove Albion v.  Paraguay, 10 September 2024
FW Pedro (1997-06-20) 20 June 1997 (age 27) 6 1 Brazil Flamengo v.  Ecuador, 6 September 2024 INJ
FW Evanilson (1999-10-06) 6 October 1999 (age 25) 2 0 England Bournemouth 2024 Copa América
FW Pepê (1997-02-24) 24 February 1997 (age 27) 2 0 Portugal Porto 2024 Copa América
FW Richarlison (1997-05-10) 10 May 1997 (age 27) 48 20 England Tottenham Hotspur v.  Spain, 26 March 2024
FW Galeno (1997-10-21) 21 October 1997 (age 27) 1 0 Portugal Porto v.  Spain, 26 March 2024
FW Gabriel Jesus (1997-04-03) 3 April 1997 (age 27) 64 19 England Arsenal v.  Argentina, 21 November 2023
FW Paulinho (2000-07-15) 15 July 2000 (age 24) 1 0 Brazil Atlético Mineiro v.  Argentina, 21 November 2023

  • INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to injury
  • SUS Player served suspension
  • WIT Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue
  • EXP Player expelled from squad

Individual records

[edit]
As of 12 October 2023.[133]
Players in bold are still active with Brazil.

Most capped players

[edit]
Cafu is the all-time most capped player for Brazil with 142 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Cafu 142 5 1990–2006
2 Neymar 128 79 2010–present
3 Dani Alves 126 8 2006–2022
4 Roberto Carlos 125 10 1992–2006
5 Thiago Silva 113 7 2008–2022
6 Lúcio 105 4 2000–2011
7 Cláudio Taffarel 101 0 1988–1998
8 Robinho 100 28 2003–2017
9 Djalma Santos 98 3 1952–1968
Ronaldo 98 62 1994–2011

Top goalscorers

[edit]
Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Average Career
1 Neymar 79 128 0.62 2010–present
2 Pelé[i] 77 92 0.84 1957–1971
3 Ronaldo 62 98 0.63 1994–2011
4 Romário[ii] 55 70 0.79 1987–2005
5 Zico 48 71 0.68 1976–1986
6 Bebeto 39 75 0.52 1985–1998
7 Rivaldo 35 74 0.47 1993–2003
8 Jairzinho 33 81 0.41 1964–1982
Ronaldinho 33 97 0.34 1999–2013
10 Ademir 32 39 0.82 1945–1953
Tostão 32 54 0.59 1966–1972
  1. ^ This includes a match for Brazil against the rest of the world, which FIFA does not recognise, played for the 10th anniversary of their first World Cup title[134][135]
  2. ^ Some sources, including FIFA, credit Romário with an extra goal in a 3–2 win against Mexico in the 1997 Copa América while other sources give it as an own goal to Camilo Romero.[136] It is not counted here.

Other records

[edit]
Youngest goalscorer
Oldest goalscorer
  • Romário (39 years and two months) vs.  Guatemala, 27 April 2005[138]
Most goals scored in a single match
First goal scored
Most clean sheets
Most matches as a captain
Most yellow cards received
Most red cards received

Manager records

[edit]

Mário Zagallo became the first person to win the FIFA World Cup both as a player (1958 and 1962) and as a manager (1970). In 1970, when he was of age 38, he won the FIFA World Cup which made him the second youngest coach to win the FIFA World Cup. While still in Brazil as an assistant coach, the team won the 1994 FIFA World Cup.[140]

Competitive record

[edit]

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place     Tournament played fully or partially on home soil  

FIFA World Cup

[edit]

Brazil has qualified for every FIFA World Cup they entered, never requiring a qualifying play-off. With five titles, they have won the tournament on more occasions than any other national team.

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Group stage 6th 2 1 0 1 5 2 Squad Qualified as invitees
Italy 1934 Round of 16 14th 1 0 0 1 1 3 Squad Qualified automatically
France 1938 Third place 3rd 5 3 1 1 14 11 Squad
Brazil 1950 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 1 1 22 6 Squad Qualified as hosts
Switzerland 1954 Quarter-finals 5th 3 1 1 1 8 5 Squad 4 4 0 0 8 1
Sweden 1958 Champions 1st 6 5 1 0 16 4 Squad 2 1 1 0 2 1
Chile 1962 Champions 1st 6 5 1 0 14 5 Squad Qualified as defending champions
England 1966 Group stage 11th 3 1 0 2 4 6 Squad
Mexico 1970 Champions 1st 6 6 0 0 19 7 Squad 6 6 0 0 23 2
West Germany 1974 Fourth place 4th 7 3 2 2 6 4 Squad Qualified as defending champions
Argentina 1978 Third place 3rd 7 4 3 0 10 3 Squad 6 4 2 0 17 1
Spain 1982 Second group stage 5th 5 4 0 1 15 6 Squad 4 4 0 0 11 2
Mexico 1986 Quarter-finals 5th 5 4 1 0 10 1 Squad 4 2 2 0 6 2
Italy 1990 Round of 16 9th 4 3 0 1 4 2 Squad 4 3 1 0 13 1
United States 1994 Champions 1st 7 5 2 0 11 3 Squad 8 5 2 1 20 4
France 1998 Runners-up 2nd 7 4 1 2 14 10 Squad Qualified as defending champions
South Korea Japan 2002 Champions 1st 7 7 0 0 18 4 Squad 18 9 3 6 31 17
Germany 2006 Quarter-finals 5th 5 4 0 1 10 2 Squad 18 9 7 2 35 17
South Africa 2010 6th 5 3 1 1 9 4 Squad 18 9 7 2 33 11
Brazil 2014 Fourth place 4th 7 3 2 2 11 14 Squad Qualified as hosts
Russia 2018 Quarter-finals 6th 5 3 1 1 8 3 Squad 18 12 5 1 41 11
Qatar 2022 7th 5 3 1 1 8 3 Squad 17 14 3 0 40 5
Canada Mexico United States 2026 Qualification in progress 10 5 1 4 11 9
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 5 Titles 22/22 114 76 19 19 237 108 136 86 34 16 291 84
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Copa América

[edit]
South American Championship / Copa América record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
Argentina 1916 Third place 3rd 3 0 2 1 3 4 Squad
Uruguay 1917 Third place 3rd 3 1 0 2 7 8 Squad
Brazil 1919 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 12 3 Squad
Chile 1920 Third place 3rd 3 1 0 2 1 8 Squad
Argentina 1921 Runners-up 2nd 3 1 0 2 4 3 Squad
Brazil 1922 Champions 1st 5 2 3 0 7 2 Squad
Uruguay 1923 Fourth place 4th 3 0 0 3 2 5 Squad
Uruguay 1924 Withdrew
Argentina 1925 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 1 1 11 9 Squad
Chile 1926 Withdrew
Peru 1927
Argentina 1929
Peru 1935
Argentina 1937 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 0 2 17 11 Squad
Peru 1939 Withdrew
Chile 1941
Uruguay 1942 Third place 3rd 6 3 1 2 15 7 Squad
Chile 1945 Runners-up 2nd 6 5 0 1 19 5 Squad
Argentina 1946 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 1 1 13 7 Squad
Ecuador 1947 Withdrew
Brazil 1949 Champions 1st 8 7 0 1 46 7 Squad
Peru 1953 Runners-up 2nd 7 4 0 3 17 9 Squad
Chile 1955 Withdrew
Uruguay 1956 Fourth place 4th 5 2 2 1 4 5 Squad
Peru 1957 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 0 2 23 9 Squad
Argentina 1959 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 2 0 17 7 Squad
Ecuador 1959 Third place 3rd 4 2 0 2 7 10 Squad
Bolivia 1963 Fourth place 4th 6 2 1 3 12 13 Squad
Uruguay 1967 Withdrew
Union of South American Nations 1975 Third place 3rd 6 5 0 1 16 4 Squad
Union of South American Nations 1979 Third place 3rd 6 2 2 2 10 9 Squad
Union of South American Nations 1983 Runners-up 2nd 8 2 4 2 8 5 Squad
Argentina 1987 Group stage 5th 2 1 0 1 5 4 Squad
Brazil 1989 Champions 1st 7 5 2 0 11 1 Squad
Chile

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