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It is Marcio Santos who best sums up the predicament Brazil’s players found themselves in before the 1994 World Cup. “We hadn’t won in 24 years. That’s way too long for the Brazilian people,” says the former defender in the new Netflix documentary USA 94: Brazil’s Return to Glory.
Having suffered the ignominy of a first defeat in qualifying that prompted the manager, Carlos Alberto Parreira, to offer to step down, the fabled Romário and Bebeto strike partnership inspired the Seleção to win a fourth World Cup the last time the tournament was held on American soil.
Thirty-two years on, Brazil supporters will be hoping history is about to repeat itself for Carlo Ancelotti’s side as they prepare for the most awkward of opening matches against Morocco on Saturday, who became the first African country to reach the last four, in 2022.
The World Cup’s most successful nation has made it past the quarter-final stage once since Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo sealed a fifth title in 2002. That this is now the joint-longest Brazil have gone without winning the World Cup is not the only parallel with 1994. A disastrous qualifying campaign meant they finished a lowly fifth after six defeats – more than any of the five other South American teams that made it to the World Cup – and many have written off their chances.
Ancelotti has had mixed success since leaving Real Madrid last year to take his first steps in international management. Yet despite criticism of his decision to omit Chelsea’s João Pedro and recall 34-year-old Neymar for the first time since 2023, the Italian still has the tools at his disposal to become the third manager to win the World Cup and Champions League, after Marcello Lippi and Vicente del Bosque.
Neymar is the only surviving squad member from the 7-1 semi-final thrashing against Germany in 2014 – aka the Mineiraço – albeit he was forced to watch the nightmare unfold from the sidelines after being injured against Colombia in the previous round.
“Since Ancelotti’s arrival, the environment has been transformed. He carries a strong presence and gives us the tranquility of an environment focused on work, without controversy,” said the Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson this week.
“He’s a multi-champion. He has won everything in football and is here with joy and enthusiasm. His position perhaps has more pressure than being the president of the country.”
If anyone can cope with that it is Ancelotti. But he must find the right balance in attack to build on a defence that should be one of the strongest in the tournament. The partnership between the captain, Marquinhos, and Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães – who was immediately consoled by his Brazil teammate after missing the crucial penalty in the Champions League final a fortnight ago – is the foundation of that, even if the full-back positions are more of a concern.
A traditional strength – think Carlos Alberto in 1970, Branca and Jorginho in 1994 and Cafu and Roberto Carlos in 2002 – now relies on thirtysomethings Douglas Santos, Danilo and Alex Sandro.
The calf injury Neymar sustained a couple of days after being called up means he is likely to sit out the opening game, with the teenager Endrick vying with Brentford’s Igor Thiago to lead the line. Vinícius Júnior – who thrived in Madrid under Ancelotti and has been backed to produce his best form at the World Cup – and Raphinha provide the spark in attack, while a rejuvenated Casemiro will anchor a strong midfield also featuring Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães.
Brazil have won their group at every World Cup since 1978, when draws against Sweden and Austria meant they finished second after scoring two goals in three matches. They missed out on the final after a controversial 0-0 draw in the second group stage against the eventual winners, Argentina.
It is unlikely Ancelotti will be so pragmatic, but even a draw against Mohamed Ouahbi’s side would not be a disaster with Haiti and Scotland to come.
The only match to feature two teams ranked inside Fifa’s top 10 certainly makes the first game at the New York New Jersey Stadium – the 82,500-capacity venue for the final on 19 July – one of the standout picks of the group stage and there are thousands of supporters from both countries in town.
The New York Knicks will be in action at the same time as they seek the NBA title for the first time since 1973 and a massive police operation that has been planned for 12 months will be in place to prevent any problems.
Brazil are not used to having to compete for attention at World Cups. But with the group winners on a potential collision course with England, should they top Group L, in the quarter-finals they have an opportunity to show they mean business against Morocco.
