Two players in Brazil’s squad were not yet born when the country won its fifth World Cup in 2002, and 24 years have passed since that triumph, according to the report. The piece notes the same span separated wins in 1970 and 1994, but says the current gap feels more serious for a nation that has won the tournament more than any other.
The report emphasizes that soccer in Brazil has long been as much about style as results, with past teams celebrated for flair, swagger and expressive play. It says Brazil no longer holds a monopoly on that approach and that the team is no longer looked to as the spiritual guardian of the beautiful game.
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, the overriding aim at home is straightforward: win the tournament, the report states. Italy’s Carlo Ancelotti, described as a wise and experienced coach, agreed to a contract running through the 2030 World Cup and took over with about a year to prepare. The piece says Brazil wasted time under two domestic coaches during the qualifying campaign and a Copa América.
Ancelotti’s preparations have also been hampered by injury, the report adds. Before the squad was named he had already lost attackers Rodrygo and Estêvão and defender Éder Militão, who would likely have been in the starting lineup. Concerns about Ancelotti’s favored formation emerged in Brazil’s 6-2 farewell win over Panama at the Maracanã, when the first team produced a poor first half and improvement followed 10 second-half substitutions.
The report details tactical worries: Ancelotti has often used a system with four attackers and just two central midfielders, one being 34-year-old Casemiro, leaving Brazil light in the middle. Panama enjoyed more possession and played around Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães, and the team improved when it switched to three in midfield. Ancelotti admitted the match raised doubts about the formation as Brazil pursue a sixth World Cup title.
