Brazil soccer in crisis

While its eternal rival, Argentina, is in a golden era that began with the victory in the 2022 Qatar World Cup and continued with the triumph in Copa America 2024, Brazil is suffering a period full of doubts despite the strong generation of players it currently has. Those doubts were accentuated in their most recent match, in which they lost to Paraguay in the qualifiers for the World Cup in Canada, United States and Mexico 2026.

The national team led by Dorival Júnior suffered a painful and surprising defeat by 1-0 against the Paraguayan national team at Defensores del Chaco Stadium in Asunción, Paraguay. The only goal of the match came from young midfielder Diego Gomez, who beat Brazilian goalie Alisson Becker with a great shot from outside the area.

To result of the game says a lot in itself. Perhaps worse was the body language from players and the manager. With the exception of some strong moments from Rodrygo, the performance of the Brazilians was not up to the level of a five-time world champion like the "Canarinha." Dorival Júnior continues to be at the center of criticism for not being able to build a cohesive squad with the generation of players at his disposal.

'They can expect us to be in the World Cup final'

Despite the lull the Brazilian national team is going through, the coach is hopeful of being able to reverse the trend. In fact, he believes they will reach the final of the World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico in 2026.

"I don't have any doubts. They can expect us to be in the World Cup final. They can demand that of me," said Dorival Júnior before losing to Paraguay.

However, after the defeat, the Brazilian manager said that they have to improve to reach such heights: "We need much more to reach the level we all want. We are trying our best. It's not easy, it's hard work, but we have to step up to quickly find that path."

The squad acknowledges its struggles

Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior did not hesitate to acknowledge the struggles that the Brazilian national team is going through. "It's been a complicated process because when confidence doesn't come, neither do the goals," said the striker, one of the favorites to win the Ballon d'Or this season, in statements reported by AFP.

More self-critical was Marquinhos. "We are in a moment of trying to fit in and find things, many pieces are being changed, the coach is still trying to find the best way to play. That is reflected in the result. There are also a lot of new players. I think it's a moment where we lack confidence. We need to find that confidence and get back to winning games. That's what we're trying to emphasize," said the defender.

Five years without a title

Since winning Copa América 2019 by defeating Peru in the final, Brazil hasn't celebrated a single title with its fans. Since then, two editions of this tournament have been played: in 2021, as the hosts, the "Canarinha" finished as runners-up and, in 2024, failed to make it past the quarterfinals.

Worse has been their performance at the World Cup. Their fifth and last title came in South Korea and Japan in 2002. From then, there have five losses for Brazil, its best result being on its home turf in 2014, when it lost in the semifinals against Germany in a historic 7-1 defeat. In the rest, it ended its journey in the quarterfinals: Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

For the World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico in 2026, Brazil, has practically guaranteed its qualification, despite its poor performance reflected in the 10 points it has earned out of the 24 available so far.