In past World Cups, the thought of Brazil failing to qualify would have caused real concern. This time, however, there is little doubt. With an expanded format allowing six South American teams direct entry, Brazil sits comfortably ahead of a Venezuelan squad that has only just broken a 10-match winless streak.
With just four fixtures left, their place in the tournament is virtually guaranteed. But qualification alone is not the goal. Brazil’s objective is to craft a side that can realistically challenge for the title in 2026. As things stand, they appear far from that standard.
Memories of Qatar 2022 still linger. That Brazilian team was a solid unit, undone only by a deflected strike from Croatia and a penalty shootout. For most of the competition, goalkeeper Alisson had little to do, and the team showed glimpses of brilliance. It was a side capable of lifting the trophy.
Now, the situation has deteriorated. Despite a squad brimming with individual quality, they have struggled to function as a cohesive team. Their 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Argentina highlighted glaring weaknesses, particularly in midfield. The team looked incapable of either constructing attacks or preventing the opposition from dictating play.
Tuesday’s heavy defeat was not an isolated incident. Recent performances have been plagued by an inability to impose a game plan, a disjointed approach to ball progression, and a tendency to be overrun in midfield.
At times, moments of individual brilliance have masked these deficiencies. A prime example came in their match against Colombia, where a last-minute Vinicius Jr goal secured an undeserved win. But such instances cannot be relied upon indefinitely.
When a film with a talented cast falls flat, the director is often at fault. A similar principle applies to Brazil’s struggles. The coaching situation is problematic, as the country’s football system does not provide a stable environment for developing quality managers. Domestic clubs often turn to foreign tacticians, particularly from Argentina and Portugal, in search of success.
Dorival Jr, the current national team coach, has spent decades in Brazilian football but appears out of his depth at the international level. His tactical choices, such as playing with just two central midfielders against Argentina, raised serious doubts. A more pragmatic approach, similar to the strategy that earned a win against England last year, might have yielded better results.
Beyond tactics, his squad lacked composure, engaging in unnecessary altercations instead of focusing on the game. A national coach must select the best players, define a clear approach, and set the team’s emotional tone. Dorival failed in all three aspects, making his future in the role highly uncertain.
If a change is made, two possible replacements stand out. One option is to hire an overseas coach, with Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus being a leading candidate. Alternatively, Brazil could accelerate the rise of Filipe Luis, the former Chelsea left-back, who has impressed in his early coaching tenure with Flamengo.
Any new manager – whether Dorival remains or not – must address Brazil’s long-standing midfield imbalance. The issue traces back to a shift in the 1990s, when Brazilian teams favored a system that separated defensive and attacking midfielders. This disrupted the natural rhythm of play, prioritizing quick counterattacks over fluid midfield control.
Lucas Paqueta had emerged as a crucial figure in correcting this flaw. Before his career was derailed by scandal, the West Ham midfielder was on the verge of joining Manchester City. Under Dorival’s early tenure, his ability to link midfield and attack, control possession, and unleash players like Vinicius Jr was evident.
Without Paqueta, Brazil lacked an orchestrator, leading Dorival to pin his hopes on Neymar’s return. Predictably, this gamble failed. Given his lengthy injury layoff, it was unrealistic to expect Neymar to hit peak form immediately. Muscle issues resurfaced, highlighting the risk of rushing him back too soon.
At 33, Neymar’s ability to perform at the highest level remains uncertain. However, his skill set could make him a solution for Brazil’s midfield void, filling a deep-lying playmaker role. Comparisons might be drawn to 2002, when Ronaldo returned from serious injury to lead Brazil to their fifth World Cup triumph.
Brazil remains in search of their sixth title. If they manage to win in 2026, especially after their current struggles, it will be remembered as one of football’s great redemption stories.
