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The Brazil national football team (Portuguese: Seleção Brasileira de Futebol) represents Brazil in international men's association football. Brazil is administered by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), the governing body for football in Brazil. They have been a member of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) since 1923 and member of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) since 1916. Brazil is the most successful national football team in the FIFA World Cup with five championships: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Brazil also has the best overall performance in World Cup history in both proportional and absolute terms with a record of 70 victories in 104 matches played, 119 goal difference, 227 points and only 17 losses.[10][11][12][13] Brazil is the only national team to have played in all FIFA World Cup editions without any absence nor need for playoffs.[14] The seleção is also the most successful national team in the FIFA Confederations Cup with four titles: 1997, 2005, 2009 and 2013, being the holder of the last title of the tournament. Brazil have won a total of 62 official international titles to professional and grassroots level selections, what constitutes an unparalleled world record.[15]
Brazil has the all-time highest average Football Elo Ranking in the world with 2013.3, and the third all-time highest Football Elo Ranking in the world, with 2153 in 1962, only behind the Hungary's Golden Team of 1954 and Germany national team of 2014. Many distinguished commentators consider the Brazil team of 1970 to be the greatest association football team ever, although some argue the case for other teams, such as the Brazil team of 1958 or 1962, with honorary mentions being held for the gifted 1982 side.[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]
Following the conclusion of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the national team is ranked number 3 in the World Football Elo Ratings[25] and 6 in the FIFA World Ranking. Brazil is the only national team to have won the world cup on four different continents: once in Europe (1958 Sweden), once in South America (1962 Chile), twice in North America (1970 Mexico and 1994 United States) and once in Asia (2002 Korea/Japan). They also share with Spain a record of 35 consecutive official matches undefeated.[26][27][28]
It is generally believed that the first game of the Brazilian national football team was a 1914 match between a Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo select team and the English club Exeter City, held in Fluminense's stadium.[29][30] Brazil won 2–0 with goals by Oswaldo Gomes and Osman,[29][30][31] though it is claimed that the match was a 3–3 draw.[32][33]
In contrast to its future success, the national team's early appearances were not brilliant. Other early matches played during that time include several friendly games against Argentina (being defeated 3-0), Chile (first in 1916) and Uruguay (first on July 12, 1916).[34]
In 1930, Brazil played in the first World Cup, held in Uruguay. The squad defeated Bolivia but lost to Yugoslavia, being eliminated from the competition.
Brazil first achieved international prominence when it hosted the 1950 FIFA World Cup. The team went into the last game of the final round, against Uruguay at Estádio do Maracanã in Rio, needing only a draw to win the World Cup. However, Uruguay won the match and the Cup in a game known as "the Maracanazo." The match led to a period of national mourning.[35]
For the Hungary in one of the ugliest matches in football history, known as the Battle of Berne.[36]
For the 1958 FIFA World Cup, Brazil were drawn in a group with England, the USSR and Austria. They beat Austria 3–0 in their first match, then drew 0–0 with England. Before the match, coach Vicente Feola made three substitutions that were crucial for Brazil to defeat the Soviets: Zito, Garrincha and Pelé. From the kick off, they kept up the pressure relentlessly, and after three minutes, which were later described as "the greatest three minutes in the history of football",[37] Vavá gave Brazil the lead. They won the match by 2–0. Pelé scored the only goal of their quarter-final match against Wales, and they beat France 5–2 in the semi-final. Brazil then beat Sweden, in the final by 5–2, winning their first World Cup and becoming the first nation to win a World Cup title outside of its own continent.
In the 1962 FIFA World Cup, Brazil earned its second title with Garrincha as the star player, a mantle and responsibility laid upon him after the regular talisman, Pelé, was injured during the second group match against Czechoslovakia and unable to play for the rest of the tournament.[38][39]
In the 1966 FIFA World Cup, Brazil had their worst performance in a World Cup. The 1966 tournament was remembered for its excessively physical play, and Pelé was one of the players most affected. Against Portugal, several violent tackles by the Portuguese defenders caused Pelé to leave the match and the tournament. Brazil lost this match and was eliminated in the first round of the World Cup for the first time since 1934. Brazil became the first nation to be eliminated in the first round while holding the World Cup crown. After the 2002, 2010, and 2014 World Cup, France, Italy and Spain were also added to this list.[40] After the tournament, Pelé declared that he did not wish to play in the World Cup again. Nonetheless, he returned in 1970.
Brazil won its third World Cup in Mexico, with the 1970 FIFA World Cup. It fielded what has since then often been considered the best World Cup football squad ever,[16][17][18][19][20] led by Pelé in his last World Cup finals, captain Carlos Alberto Torres, Jairzinho, Tostão, Gérson and Rivelino. Even though Garrincha had retired, this team was still a force to be reckoned with. They won all six of their games—against Czechoslovakia, England, and Romania during group play, and against Peru, Uruguay, and Italy in the knockout rounds. Jairzinho was the second top scorer with seven goals; Pelé finished with four goals. Brazil lifted the Jules Rimet trophy for the third time (the first nation to do so), which meant that they were allowed to keep it. A replacement was then commissioned, though it would be 24 years before Brazil won it.
After the international retirement of Pelé and other stars from the 1970 squad, Brazil was not able to overcome the Netherlands' at the 1974 FIFA World Cup in West Germany, finishing in fourth place.[41]
In the second group stage of the 1978 FIFA World Cup, Brazil was competing with tournament host Argentina for top spot and a place in the finals. In their last group match, Brazil defeated Poland 3–1 to go to the top of the group with a goal difference of +5. Argentina had had a goal difference of +2, but in its last group match, it defeated Peru by 6–0, and thus qualified for the final, in a match accused of ultimately-unproven match fixing. The Brazilian team qualified for the third place.
At the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, the tournament favorites Brazil easily moved through the early part of the draw, but a 3–2 defeat in Barcelona to Italy, in one of the classic games in World Cup finals history, eliminated them from the tournament in the match that they refer to as "Sarriá's Disaster", referencing the stadium's name. The 1982 team, with players like Sócrates, Zico, Falcão and Éder, is remembered as one of the greatest teams never to win a World Cup.
Several players including Sócrates and Zico from 1982 returned to play at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico again. Brazil met the Michel Platini-led France in the quarter-finals, in a classic of Total Football. The game played to a 1-1 draw in regulation time, and after a goalless extra time, it all came down to a penalty shoot-out. Brazil was eliminated 4–3.
At the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, Brazil was coached by Sebastião Lazaroni. With a defensive scheme, whose main symbol was midfielder Dunga, forward Careca, and three full-backs, the team lacked creativity but made it to the second round. Brazil was eliminated by Diego Maradona-led Argentina in the round of 16 in Turin, losing to their South American arch-rivals 1-0.
Brazil went 24 years without winning a World Cup or even participating in a final. Their struggles ended at the Jorginho won the World Cup for a then-record fourth time. Highlights of their campaign included a 1–0 victory over the host United States in the round of 16, and a sensational 3–2 win over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals (often cited as the game of the tournament) and 1-0 victory over Sweden in the semifinals. This set up Brazil vs. Italy in the final. After a 0–0 draw, penalty kicks loomed, and Brazil was the champion once again.
Entering the 1998 FIFA World Cup as defending champions, Brazil finished runner-up. After a respectable campaign during which they beat the Netherlands on penalties in the semi-final following a 1–1 draw, the team lost to the host France 3–0 in the final game.
Fuelled by the "Three R's" (Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho), Brazil won its fifth championship at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan. Brazil beat all three opponents in group play in South Korea and topped the group. In Brazil's opening game against Turkey in Ulsan, Rivaldo fell to the ground clutching his face after Turkey's Hakan Ünsal had kicked the ball at his legs. Rivaldo escaped suspension but was fined £5,180 for play-acting, and became the first player ever to be punished in FIFA's crackdown on diving. In their knockout round matches in Japan, Brazil defeated Belgium 2–0 in Kobe, in the round of 16. Against England in the quarter-finals in Shiuzoka, they won 2–1; the winning goal was from an unexpected free kick by Ronaldinho. The semi-final was against Turkey in Saitama. Brazil won 1–0. The final was between Germany and Brazil in Tokyo/Yokohama, Japan. Ronaldo scored two goals in the Brazilian 2–0 triumph.[42] Ronaldo also won the Golden Shoe as the tournament's leading scorer.
Brazil won the 2004 Copa América.[43] Brazil also won the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup for the second time.[44]
Manager Carlos Alberto Parreira built his side through a 4-2-2-2 formation. Nicknamed the "Magic Square", the attack was built around four players: Ronaldo, Adriano, Kaká, and Ronaldinho. In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Brazil won its first two games against Croatia (1–0) and Australia (2–0). In the final group game against Japan, Brazil won 4-1 against Japan. Ronaldo scored twice and equalled the record for the most goals scored across all World Cups. In the round of 16, Brazil beat Ghana 3–0. Ronaldo's goal was his 15th in World Cup history, breaking the record. Brazil was eliminated in the quarter-finals against France, losing 1–0.
Dunga was hired as Brazil's new team manager in 2006.[45] Brazil won in 2007 Copa América, and Robinho was awarded the Golden Boot and named the best player in the tournament. Brazil won the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup to seal their third Confederations Cup title.[46] Kaká was named as the player of the tournament and Luís Fabiano won the top goalscorer award.
In the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Brazil won their first match against North Korea 2–1. They won their second game against Ivory Coast 3–1. Their last match against Portugal ended in a 0–0 draw. They faced Chile in the round of 16, and gained a 3–0 win. In the quarter-final, they lost to the Netherlands 2–1.
In July 2010, Mano Menezes was named as the new Brazil coach.[47] At the 2011 Copa América, Brazil lost against Paraguay and was eliminated in the quarter-finals. On 4 July 2012, due to a lack of competitive matches, as the team automatically qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Brazil was ranked 11th in the FIFA ranking, the first time the Seleção was ruled out the top ten since the ranking was created in 1993.[48]
In November 2012, coach Mano Menezes was sacked, and Luiz Felipe Scolari was appointed as Brazil's new manager.[49][50]
On 6 June 2013, Brazil was ranked 22nd in the FIFA ranking, their worst rank ever.[51] Brazil entered the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup with the objective of defending their title. In the final, Brazil faced Spain.[52] Brazil won 3–0, sealing their fourth Confederations Cup title.[53][54] Neymar was named player of the tournament and received the Golden Ball Award and the Adidas Bronze Shoe, and Júlio César won the Golden Glove Award for the best goalkeeper of the tournament.[55]
Brazil was drawn into Group A of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, alongside Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon. In the opening match of the tournament, Marcelo gave the Croatians a lead with an own goal. However, two goals from Neymar and one from Oscar turned the game around to get the Seleção off to a winning start in their first World Cup on home soil in 64 years.[56] The team then draw 0–0 with Mexico, as Guillermo Ochoa produced a man of the match performance in the Mexican goal.[57] Brazil confirmed qualification to the knockout stage by defeating Cameroon 4–1 with Neymar again scoring twice, and Fred and Fernandinho providing further goals.[58]
Brazil faced Chile in the round of 16, taking an 18th-minute lead through David Luiz's first goal for the Seleção. With no further scoring after Alexis Sánchez's equaliser, the match went to a penalty shootout. Brazil prevailed 3–2, with Neymar, Luiz and Marcelo converting their kicks, and goalkeeper Júlio César saving from Chileans Alexis and Mauricio Pinilla.[59] The team again faced South American opposition in the quarter-final, defeating Colombia 2–1 with goals from central defenders David Luiz and the team captain Thiago Silva. Late in the match, Neymar was substituted on a stretcher after Juan Camilo Zúñiga's knee had made contact with the forward's back. Neymar was taken to hospital and later diagnosed with a fractured vertebra, which ruled him out for the remainder of the tournament.[60] Prior to this, Neymar had scored four goals, provided one assist, and been named man of the match twice. Brazil faced further problems ahead of their semi-final against Germany, as Thiago Silva was to serve a one-match suspension for receiving his second yellow card of the tournament in the quarter-final.[61] The Seleção went on to lose 1-7 to the Germans – their biggest ever defeat at the World Cup and first home loss in a competitive match since 1975.[62] Towards the end of the match, the home crowd began to "olé" each pass from the German team, and booed their own players off the pitch after the final whistle.[63] The match has been nicknamed the Mineirazo, making reference to the nation's previous World Cup defeat on home soil, the Maracanazo against Uruguay in 1950, and the Estádio do Mineirão where the match took place.[64]
Brazil finished the World Cup in fourth place, having failed to avenge their semi final defeat to Germany by losing to the Netherlands 0–3 in the third-place match. The team ended the tournament with the worst defensive record of the 32 competing nations, having conceded 14 goals.[65] The only other countries to concede 12 or more goals in the current World Cup format are North Korea and Saudi Arabia.[66] Following these results, Scolari announced his resignation.[67]
On 22 July 2014, Dunga was announced as the new manager of Brazil, returning to the position for the first time since the team's exit in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[68]
Dunga's first match in his second reign as Brazil's manager was a friendly match against 2014 FIFA World Cup quarter-finalists Colombia at Sun Life Stadium in Miami on 5 September 2014, with Brazil winning the match 1–0, with a Neymar free-kick in the 83rd minute of the match.[69] He followed this up with wins against Ecuador (1–0),[70] in the 2014 Superclásico de las Américas against Argentina (2–0),[71] against Japan (4–0),[72] against Turkey (0–4),[73] and against Austria (1–2).[74] Dunga continued Brazil's winning streak in 2015 by defeating France in another friendly, won by 1–3. They followed this with wins against Chile (1–0), against Mexico (2–0), and against Honduras (1–0).
Brazil started the tournament with a tight victory against Peru after coming from behind by 2–1 (with Douglas Costa scoring in the dying moments),[75] followed by a 1–0 defeat against Colombia[76] and a 2–1 victory against Venezuela.[77] In the knockout stage, Brazil faced Paraguay and was eliminated after drawing 1–1 in normal time and losing 4–3 in the penalty shootout.[78] As such, Brazil was unable to qualify for a FIFA Confederations Cup (in this case, the 2017 edition) for the first time in almost 20 years.[79]
The FIFA that Brazil has never won, although they have won three silver medals (1984, 1988 and 2012) and two bronze medals (1996, 2008).[80] The Brazilian Olympic team is often coached by the national team coach, such as Mário Zagallo in 1996, Dunga in 2008 and Mano Menezes in 2012.
The Brazilian national team has many nicknames and are known in different parts of the world by various nicknames. Nicknames for the squad in Brazil include Canarinho, meaning "Little Canary", a phrase that was popularized by the late cartoonist Fernando "Mangabeira" Pieruccetti during the 1950 World Cup.[81] Other names like Amarelinha, "Little Yellow One", Verde-amarelo, or "Green-Yellow", Pentacampeão, "Five-time Champions",[82] Esquadrão de Ouro (the Golden Squad), some Latin American commentators often refer to the Brazil National team El Scratch (The Scratch),[83] among others.
Brazil do not have a home national stadium like many other national teams, and rotate their home World Cup qualifying matches in various venues throughout the country. Since September 2006, Brazil have played many international friendlies at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in London. Brazil also plays a number of international friendlies in the United States.
Brazil's training camp is the Granja Comary in Teresopolis, located 90 kilometres (55 miles) from Rio de Janeiro.[84] Granja Comary was opened in 1987,[85] and underwent significant renovations in 2013 and 2014.
The following tables show Brazil's results at major tournaments. To see Brazil's results at minor tournaments, see Brazil national football team competitive record.
Brazil has qualified for every FIFA World Cup, never requiring a qualifying play-off. With five titles, they have won the tournament on more occasions than any other national team. Brazil is the only national team to have played in all FIFA World Cup editions without having any absence.
The following are Brazil's results over the past 12 months, as well as Brazil's confirmed upcoming fixtures during the next 6 months.[86]
Win Draw Loss
The following players are in the squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Argentina on 12 November and against Peru on 17 November 2015.[87]
The following players have been called up to the Brazil squad in last 12 months.
Argentina, Mexico, India, Venezuela, Russia
Uruguay, Brazil, Buenos Aires, Venezuela, Mexico
Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Montevideo, Suriname
2010 FIFA World Cup, 2002 FIFA World Cup, 2014 FIFA World Cup, 2006 FIFA World Cup, Brazil
2015 Copa América, 2015 Copa América Final, 2015 Copa América Group A, 2015 Copa América Group B, 2015 Copa América Group C
Brazil national football team, Brazil, 1958 FIFA World Cup, 1970 FIFA World Cup, Santos FC
Germany national football team, Brazil national football team, Italy national football team, Argentina national football team, 1990 FIFA World Cup
Brazil national football team, 1958 FIFA World Cup, 1970 FIFA World Cup, Argentina national football team, Brazil
South Korea national football team, Germany, Brazil national football team, Turkey national football team, Germany national football team
Brazil national football team, Italy national football team, Sweden national football team, Germany national football team, United States men's national soccer team