2026 FIFA World Cup Fantasy team preview: Brazil

Our 2026 FIFA World Cup Fantasy team preview continues with a look at Brazil.

The five-time World Cup winner has underachieved in recent times, having not lifted the trophy since 2002.

They also lag behind Spain, France and (yes, really) the UK when it comes to bookie odds.

However, there is new optimism about this Selecao under the leadership of Carlo Ancelotti, who took over the team in May 2025.

Brazil also triumphed at USA ’94, the last time the World Cup was held in North America.

In this country-by-country guide, we’ll look at the best players from each country, review the road to the World Cup, and more.

TROOPS

Negligence of Joao Pedro was one of the main talking points when Ancelotti announced his final squad list.

What was also talked about a lot was its inclusion Neymar ($7.2 million). The 34-year-old’s declining form and fitness means he has not appeared for the national team since October 2023!

Premier League Gabriel Jesus, Igor Jesus And Richarlison left behind. Estevaowho is currently injured, also stays at home, along with Real Madrid Rodrygo.

THE PATH TO QUALIFICATION

It was a below-par qualifier for Brazil, with four defeats in their first eight games. If not for the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, fifth place would also require an inter-confederation play-off!

Caretaker manager Fernando Diniz and subsequent head coach Dorival Junior had to pay the price, with the low point being a 4-1 defeat to Argentina in March 2025. That ended Dorival’s tenure.

Enter Ancelotti, who limped across the finish line. The final-day defeat to Bolivia came after qualification had been confirmed.

Overall, Brazil have won just three of their 10 games against South American teams who have also qualified for the 2026 World Cup. All at home, and all by one goal margin. Not a convincing thing.

The Selecao ranked third for goals scored (24) and fifth for fewest goals conceded (17) in CONMEBOL qualifying. At least the underlying data is a little better, and improved after Ancelotti’s appointment:

BIGGEST GOAL THREAT IN QUALIFICATION

*note: xG in the table above is non-penalty

Raphinha ($8.2 million) was Brazil’s top scorer in qualifying, although three penalties increased his tally. The Barcelona winger also leads in shots (33).

Vinicius Junior ($10.0 million) scored the most expected goals without penalties (xG), but did so in less time than his La Liga rivals.

Both players should be part of Ancelotti’s starting XI, either in a 4-3-3 or a gung-ho 4-2-4 formation.

THE MOST CREATIVE PLAYER IN THE QUALIFICATION

Raphinha also leads in terms of expected assists (xA) and key passes (28), helped by his role in set-piece play.

Bruno Guimaraes ($6.8 million), Brazil’s leading midfielder/forward in terms of minutes played in qualifying, is second on both fronts.

Neymar ($7.2m), a shadow of his former self and whose inclusion in Ancelotti’s squad has led to mixed opinions, actually tops the assists list (three). However, all three contributions came in 2023 – and, largely due to injury, he did not play for the national team for almost three years.

SINCE QUALIFICATION

Date Opposition Results (Brazil first) Goal scorer
October 10, 2025 v South Korea (a) 5-0 Estêvão (2), Rodrygo (2), Vinícius Jr.
October 14, 2025 v Japan (a) 2–3 Paulo Henrique, Martinelli
November 15, 2025 v Senegal (n) 2–0 Estêvão, Casemiro
November 18, 2025 v Tunisia (n) 1–1 Stephen
March 26, 2026 v France (n) 1–2 Bremer
March 31, 2026 v Croatia (n) 3–1 Danilo, Igor Thiago, Martinelli

In accordance with previous qualifications, the results are mixed.

Of course, you take the results of friendly matches for granted, because there is a lot of experimentation in the above half dozen matches.

A total of 31 different players have started at least one match in the six friendlies up to March, with Casemiro ($6.3 million) and Vinicius Junior was the only one to start all six.

Estevao And Rodrygo scored six goals between them and took most of the set but missed the World Cup through injury.

Matheus Cunha ($7.3 million) has worked his way into the lineup contention, starting five games at the top.

WORLD CUP MATCHES

There is an argument for setting and forgetting Brazil’s assets through the group stage – although qualification would probably be assured before Round 3, when rotation could take its toll.

Indeed, the bookies reckon Ancelotti’s men have the easiest group – or at least, the best chance of topping their group.

However, the toughest test came in Round 1.

Morocco is in the eighth best position in the FIFA World Rankings, after ‘officially’ winning the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

This North African country also had an outstanding 2022 World Cup, finishing in fourth place.

In that case, it will most likely be banana skins first, but it’s arguably the easiest game in the entire tournament – ​​so you’ll definitely want Brazil represented (via Round 2 Wildcard or something) for Haiti.

BEST FANTASY CHOICE

Vinicius Junior ($10.0 million) and Raphinha ($8.2 million) is a standout forward, with the forward excelling in set-piece duties and penalty taking. Both are listed as midfielders in the FIFA game.

Casemiro But ($6.3 million) is worth mentioning as a cheaper midfield option.

We’ve seen his set-piece threat at Manchester United this season; he is the Premier League’s top player for set-play goals (eight).

And in Brazil’s recent friendly, he was a threat again by scoring against Senegal.

Above: Brazil players ranked by set-piece shots in the last six friendlies

Casemiro could also threaten the tackle bonus:

Above: Brazilian players ranked by tackles per 90 minutes in qualifying (minimum 600 minutes)

In the back line, without a recovery/tackle bonus for defenders, there’s not much benefit.

Gabriel Magalhaes ($5.5 million) has yet to replicate his goal-scoring exploits for his club at international level. However, he did outshoot Marquinhos ($5.2 million) at 7-4 in qualifying, despite playing fewer minutes.

But both are quite expensive, and there may be more profitable options initially, especially since Morocco is a tough Round 1 test.

Uncertainty arises at right-back (could be either one Wesley ($4.5 million), Danilo ($4.3 million) or Roger Ibanez ($4.4 million)), so it’s best avoided. Aging Alex Sandro ($4.5 million) is the clear favorite to start at left back but then again, there may be better budget defenders for Round 1.


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