As the world celebrates its rich tapestry of football, Brazil finds itself at a precarious point in its illustrious history. Once the undisputed rulers of international football, the Selecao, sporting five FIFA World Cup trophies, currently languishes in fifth place in the CONMEBOL qualification standings for the 2026 World Cup. This is alarming not just for the nation that has participated in every World Cup since its inception in 1930, but also for its fans, who are undoubtedly worried at the thought of Brazil missing the World Cup for the first time in history.
The qualifying format has changed, offering more chances for teams to qualify due to the tournament's expansion to 48 teams. In addition to the six automatic spots allocated to CONMEBOL nations, there is also another available place through intercontinental playoffs. While this appears to alleviate immediate pressures, Brazil’s current position still raises eyebrows, especially considering that they are historically the only nation to have contested all 22 World Cup tournaments, a feat others can only dream of.
Previously, Brazil's road to the World Cup was a relatively smooth one. Historically, until 1998 when they qualified automatically as reigning champions, Brazil had lost just once during the qualifying stages – a shocking 2-0 defeat to Bolivia in La Paz back in 1993. But in the modern qualifying format, where each nation plays against every other nation twice, Brazil began to falter. Nonetheless, prior to this cycle, they had not lost more than two qualifying matches in a single season, further emphasizing their continued dominance.
The current qualification cycle, however, could spell disaster for Brazil. Alisson, Brazil's experienced goalkeeper, addressed the impending matches with Colombia and Argentina, stating, “There are several players who make a difference for Colombia. We expect a great challenge. We hope to have a great performance and win, which is what we need to achieve our goal.” Alisson's comments reflect the urgency that the team feels, echoed by midfielder Andre, who insists, “These qualifiers have been very difficult, but I'm sure that now that our house is in order, everything will be fine.”
Importantly, Brazil's claim to success in this upcoming match against Colombia has lessened with the withdrawal of Neymar due to injury. The star had been expected to return to action but encountered a muscle issue that casts further doubt on the team's ability to assert dominance on the field. In light of this, Raphinha emerges as a key player; his impressive form in La Liga—including 24 goals and 13 assists across competitions—positions him as a player to watch. Considering this matchup, the expectation is that Raphinha should certainly be in line for goals.
Colombia, on the other hand, presents its own challenges. Historically, Brazil remains undefeated against Colombia on home turf, yet the recent performance of the Colombian side—which recently defeated Chile 4-0—cannot be overlooked. They notably are coming off two disappointing losses to Uruguay and Ecuador, but with players like Luis Díaz from Liverpool and a plethora of other talents, they have the capacity to shock Brazil, especially if the latter does not perform to its potential.
Another significant factor in Brazil's upcoming fixtures is the rivalry with Argentina. The last time these two teams clashed, Brazil managed a victory that devastated Argentina’s chances at further qualification. The absence of Lionel Messi, ruled out again due to injury, could change the dynamics of the match, but Argentina still boasts formidable firepower with Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez ready to carry the load.
With qualification stakes so high, Brazil faces a precarious path ahead. They rank fifth in the current standings, holding onto a tenuous one-point lead over Paraguay. Winners in friendlies and earlier qualifying rounds, Brazil needs firm performances to build momentum. A slip against either Colombia or Argentina could set them back significantly, raising tensions as fans remain alert.
As South American football serves up intense matchups in World Cup qualification, the question lingers: Can Brazil maintain its rich tradition of success, or will they falter at this crossroads? The stakes are exceedingly high for a nation whose dominance has colored the world of football, and for the moment, all eyes are set on the outcome in the coming weeks.
In this critical stage of qualifiers, the pressure will be palpably felt both within the stadiums and from the supporters at home as Brazil strives to regain their position atop South American football.
