Dorival Junior, the man currently at the helm of the National Men’s Football team of Brazil on Tuesday said this in an interview when asked about the ongoing 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: “Qualification? Don’t worry. Remember these words, feel free to quote me and hold me accountable. We will play in the World Cup final. Yes, we will be in the final in 2026, for sure,”
A day later, Paraguay handed Brazil a 1-0 defeat after completely shutting out their attack for almost the whole game. Surely it must be said, that Dorival Junior is showing unrealistic dreams to Brazil fans all around the world. Yes, it hasn’t been much time since the new head coach has taken over; since he took over in January 2024. Yet Brazil have managed only a meagre number of 3 wins in their last 14 encounters, with 2 out of those 3 wins coming in Friendlies against England and Mexico. Out of the other 11 games, 6 matches were lost while the others were drawn. Even their Copa America campaign was in shambles after Uruguay got the better of them on Penalties.
That’s how bad Brazil have been over the past few months. In fact, ever since Neymar has been out injured Brazil have failed to find the right balance amongst the players. Yesterday against Paraguay, it was the Real Madrid Trident of Vinicius Jr, Endrick and Rodrygo Goes, who were the front three for Brazil. So fluent in attack for Madrid, they collectively had a horrid game against Paraguay being unable to pry open the Paraguayan defence throughout the game. Lucas Paqueta, Brazil’s number 10 seemed clueless and unable to provide solutions from the midfield. It’s highly evident that Brazil are missing Neymar dearly. But is this what the Selecao has come to?
Only about 2 decades ago, Brazil’s Numbers 10, 7, and 9, were worn by Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Rivaldo. The three R’s who won Brazil the 2002 World Cup mostly due to their Individual brilliance. 22 years down the line, the Brazil frontline can’t even score past Paraguay.
The world-famous Brazillian flair, the Samba, has fallen from grace and Dorival Junior seems like nothing but a shiny quiver with no potent arrows. It’s up to the former São Paulo and Flamengo manager to turn things around in the Brazilian National Team if he wants to fulfil the “promise” he has made in front of the media. And for now, at least, this dream of being one of the World Cup Finalists in less than 2 years, feels like a delusion.
Do you think Dorival Junior’s statement about Brazil being a finalist in the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted in the USA will hold true? Or will it turn out to be nothing short of a delusion? Let us know in the comments below.
