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FIFA World Cup 2022 Preview: Neymar’s last chance for World Cup glory with Brazil

The most-watched sporting event in the world is by far and away the FIFA soccer World Cup, and it is soon making its return after a long four and a half years since the previous iteration in Russia in 2018. This year sees the World Cup make its debut in the Middle East, with Qatar winning the right to host the tournament. The FIFA World Cup 2022 will also go down in history as the first time the tournament is held in winter, due to Qatar’s extreme heat during summer months.

Among the favorites to win the trophy this year are perennial contenders Brazil, number one in the FIFA rankings and arguably the soccer nation with the richest history and most fervent passion for the sport. Brazil has not won since the legendary 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, with the legendary trio of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Rivaldo putting on a spectacle and winning the final 2-0 against a strong Germany squad. They will be hoping that this year will be a return to glory.
Brazil National Soccer Team

Brazil National Soccer Team

The Brazil national soccer team is known the world over for their flair players and entertaining style over the years. Brazilian players have become legends at a host of top European clubs, and in recent years have even become marquee signings at clubs in China and the USA, to name just a few. Despite recent struggles on the international stage, Brazil is still the nation that fans associate with the most beautiful soccer style, and they are considered one of the most dangerous sides in this year’s World Cup, especially under talented coach Tite.
History

Brazil has had a rich history in soccer, filled with plenty of triumphs, incredible players, and memorable moments that live long in the memory of soccer fans around the world. Brazil has had times when they have dominated soccer both at club level and at international level, and their fans are known for being some of the most expectant in the world.

Greatest achievements

Brazil’s national soccer team has won the FIFA soccer World Cup a total of five times, making Brazil the most decorated nation in the sport, with Italy and Germany having won four times each. Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning squad is often claimed to be the greatest international soccer team of all time. The nation has also won the World Cup in four different decades, showing their dominance over time.

Brazil has also won the Copa América, an international competition featuring mostly teams from South America, a total of nine times, behind fierce rivals Argentina and powerhouse Uruguay who both have a total of 15 wins. Brazil’s most recent Copa América win was in 2019, when they beat surprise finalists Perú 3-1 in the final.

Notable players

The list of notable players from Brazil’s national soccer team is endless. The most obvious is Pelé, the legendary striker who won three World Cups from 1958 to 1970 and who is widely regarded as one of the best players the game has ever seen, if not the best. Ronaldo, who scored the only two goals that saw Brazil win the 2002 World Cup final against Germany, is another legend of the game. Current superstar Neymar was touted to be this generation’s Pelé early on in his career, but he has so far failed to deliver that elusive World Cup that his talents promised.

Adding superstars like Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Kaká, Roberto Carlos, Cafú, and Thiago Silva to the list just seems like an unfair amount of talent for one nation to have, but Brazil has really had a special way of developing soccer stars over the years.

Jersey

Brazil’s soccer team will have a traditional yellow jersey for the FIFA World Cup 2022, but with some slight changes that make the jersey elegant and distinctive. A green lining around the collar mixed in with a small blue stripe makes this year’s jersey one that harkens back to classic jerseys of the past, yet still provides modern touches that keep Brazil’s jersey fresh and classy.

Trivia

Did you know Brazil suffered the worst semi-final defeat a host nation has ever had when it hosted the 2014 FIFA World Cup? A rampant Germany side obliterated Brazil 7-1 in the famous Estádio Mineirão stadium, reducing fans in the stadium and around the country to tears. Germany went on to beat Argentina in the final to win the World Cup, but the manner of the 7-1 demolition sent shockwaves around the soccer world.

Squad

Brazil’s current national squad is perhaps not quite as loaded with big names and exciting talent as in years gone by, but manager Tite has coached the team well and set a style that is much more balanced than the failed squads of the past few World Cups. Superstar Neymar is still the focal point of the team, but Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has been in red-hot form this season, and Real Madrid wonderkid Vinicius Jr. has been lighting up both La Liga and the European Champions League for the past two years.

In defense, the evergreen Thiago Silva is still playing at an elite level, and Liverpool goalkeeper Allison remains one of the best shot-stoppers in world soccer. Add Casemiro’s steel in midfield and Marquinhos’s excellent reading of the game at center back, and this year’s Brazil squad looks more balanced than ever before.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Preview

This year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar promises to be a blockbuster of a tournament, and Brazil’s national soccer team is up there with the top contenders. They are ranked number one in the world for a reason, but Brazi did lose the most recent Copa América final in 2021 to bitter rivals Argentina, who are also in the mix this year.

Qualifiers

Brazil qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2022 with ease, finishing in first place in their qualifying group, six points above second-placed Argentina after 17 games. They scored the most goals and conceded the least in their group, and Brazil even rested players in the last couple of matches as qualification was already assured.

Match 1: vs. Serbia

Brazil open their 2022 World Cup campaign against a tricky Serbia team on the 24th November, a side that has often proved it can frustrate some of the bigger teams in big games. Ranked 21st in the FIFA rankings, Serbia has powerful goal threats such as Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrović and former Real Madrid striker Luka Jović who could cause problems for Brazil’s defense. However, Serbia’s defense has looked shaky in some games over the last year or two, and Brazil’s supremely talented forward line should be able to find some joy down the flanks and do enough to secure the victory.

Match 2: vs. Switzerland

The next match for Brazil is a 28th November clash against 15th-ranked Switzerland, who have made a habit of causing big upsets in the World Cup group stages. However, this is not the golden Switzerland squad who beat eventual winners Spain 1-0 in 2010, and while Granit Xhaka and the magical Xherdan Shaqiri are still playing, both are somewhat past their peak now. Brazil could find it tough to break down a stubborn Swiss defense, but they should be able to win the match with the attacking talent at their disposal.

Match 3: vs. Cameroon

Brazil’s final match of the World Cup group stage is a face-off with 43rd-ranked Cameroon, who have not been as good in recent years as they were during the late 2000s with Samuel Eto’o leading the line. They qualified for the World Cup relatively easily, but with no elite attacking threat apart from Vincent Aboubakar who now plays in the Saudi Arabian league, Cameroon doesn’t have much hope of upsetting this Brazil side.

Possible knockout stage

If Brazil manage to qualify first in Group G, they will probably come up against a dangerous Portugal side or a strong Uruguay team in the round of 16. These two are not easy matches by any means, but Brazil would still be the favorites to progress to the quarter-finals. Past that, a floushiring Spain side would be the highest ranked team they could meet in the quarter-finals, and fierce rivals Argentina or a rejuvenated Netherlands team could lie in wait in the semi-finals. Whomever they play, Brazil’s road to the final would be a difficult one, and Tite’s men would have to be at their very best to achieve World Cup glory once again.