Brazil failing to qualify for the World Cup would have been a huge shock in the past. But now, their reputation as a dominant football nation has faded, making it less surprising.
Currently, Brazil sits six points ahead of Venezuela, a team that recently secured its first win in ten games. With six South American teams automatically qualifying, Brazil is still in a safe spot.
With four rounds left, missing the cut seems unlikely. However, that’s not the main concern. For Brazil, the World Cup qualifiers now serve one purpose: providing competitive matches to build a squad capable of winning the trophy. But with 2026 fast approaching, that goal feels distant.
It’s easy to overlook how strong Brazil was in the last World Cup. They only lost to Croatia in the quarterfinals on penalties after conceding a single deflected goal. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker barely had to make saves, and the team displayed moments of brilliance. They had a real shot at winning the tournament.
So, why have they declined so much? How can a team full of talented players struggle so badly?
The squad that suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat to Argentina on Tuesday looked lost in midfield, unable to attack or defend effectively. Their current struggles raise serious concerns about the team’s direction.
What are Brazil lacking in games?
The embarrassing defeat on Tuesday wasn’t a surprise.
The team has been inconsistent in every match, struggling with a clear strategy for moving the ball forward and often getting outnumbered and outplayed in central midfield.
Individual talent has helped cover these weaknesses. For instance, on Thursday, they managed to beat Colombia thanks to Vinicius Jr.’s last-minute goal.
But relying on such moments isn’t sustainable.
Brazil’s coaching system is in trouble. Without job security or enough training time, developing quality coaches is difficult. This is why most of Brazil’s top coaches today are foreigners, mainly from Portugal or Argentina.
Dorival Jr., the current national team manager, has over forty years of experience as a coach and player within Brazilian football.
However, despite his experience, he seems completely out of his depth at the international level.
Did he really think playing with just two central midfielders in Argentina would work? Why not drop deeper, like he did against England at Wembley a year ago, to create space for counterattacks? On top of that, when his staff needed to step up with solutions, they seemed completely overwhelmed.
A coach has three main duties: selecting the team, forming a game plan, and setting the right mentality. Dorival failed in all three, making it hard to see how he can keep his job.
If a change is needed, there are two possible directions. One option is hiring a foreign coach, with Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus being a strong candidate. Another choice could be fast-tracking Filipe Luis, the former Chelsea left-back, who has made an impressive start to his coaching career with Flamengo.
Can Neymar Fix Brazil’s Poor Performance?
After being out for so long, it was expected that Neymar would struggle with fitness. He needs more game time to slowly regain his best form, which means he still has a chance to return to the national team for the June international break.
At 33, Neymar is no newcomer, but the team lacks a deep-lying playmaker, a role he could fill.
Fans may recall 2002 when Ronaldo seemed past his best but made an incredible comeback from injury, helping Brazil win their fifth World Cup. Neymar could follow a similar path.
