World Cup Class of 2018: Brazil

Population: 208.7 million

Capital: Brasilia

Team Colors: Gold and Blue

How Qualified: 1st in CONMEBOL qualifying

Nickname: Seleção

21st World Cup

Head Coach: Tite (BRA)

Key Players: Neymar (PSG), Douglas Costa (Juventus), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Thiago Silva (PSG)

Best Performance: Champions (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)

Can they get past 7-1? The most talked about match four years ago was the World Cup semifinal that saw hosts Brazil get thrashed, 7-1, by Germany in Belo Horizonte. Neymar was out due to injury, but it was clear they missed the suspended Thiago Silva much more that day.

After an indifferent Copa America and an indifferent Copa America Centenario where they were knocked out of the group stage, Dunga was replaced with Corinthians manager Tite. What followed was nine straight wins in qualifying and Brazil becoming the first team to qualify for the World Cup after hosts Russia. They ended ten points clear of second-place Uruguay.

The expectations are clear. World Cup or bust for Brazil. Four years ago, the bust was spectacular. While the Olympic squad ended the gold medal hoodoo in Rio in 2016, can those who make the trip to Russia help springboard the Seleção to glory here?

Picking Brazil to win the World Cup is always an easy prediction given their pedigree. It is at least easy to predict them getting through Group E with Switzerland, Costa Rica, and Serbia.

What makes any prediction of Brazil to win the World Cup not straightforward is their propensity to unravel at the biggest stage. Did they ever unravel four years ago! Defense will be as key as their attack as they will need to hold firm when it appears things are starting to unravel.

Nobody doubts Brazil’s talent and they have gone on a tremendous run since Tite took over. However, the best of qualification runs are not a true indicator of what happens at the World Cup. Can they put what happened at Belo Horizonte behind them in Russia? It’s up to them.

Schedule:

June 17: vs. Switzerland in Rostov-on-Don, (1pm CT on FS1/Telemundo)

June 22: vs. Costa Rica in St. Petersburg (7am CT on FS1/Telemundo)

June 27: vs. Serbia in Moscow (Spartak) (1pm CT on FOX/Telemundo)