Brazil's 2026 World Cup Prospects Clouded by Fan Pessimism Amid Historic Tournament Changes
Brazilian fans express unprecedented skepticism ahead of the 2026 World Cup amid historic tournament changes and star players approaching goal-scoring records.
- • 54% of Brazilian fans are not excited about the World Cup; 68% do not believe Brazil will win the championship.
- • Carlo Ancelotti has a 41% approval rating; Brazil’s recent win rate under him is 56%.
- • Neymar’s participation is uncertain; he must prove fitness before May 18 selection.
- • The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams, increasing matches and scoring opportunities; Messi and Mbappé are poised to challenge Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup goal record of 16.
Key details
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, starting June 11 in North America, Brazilian football fans show unprecedented pessimism about their national team's chances. According to a recent Genial/Quaest survey, 54% of Brazilian fans are "not excited at all" about the tournament, and 68% believe Brazil will not win the championship — the highest level of skepticism since April 2023. This shift in sentiment follows Brazil's early exit in the Copa America quarterfinals under former coach Dorival Júnior.
Current head coach Carlo Ancelotti holds a 41% approval rating among fans, with 29% disapproving and many uncertain about his effectiveness. Under Ancelotti, Brazil’s record stands at five wins, two draws, and three losses out of ten matches, a 56% win rate. Compounding fan doubts is uncertainty over Neymar’s participation; sidelined since October 2023 due to a knee injury, Neymar must prove his fitness during nine remaining matches with Santos before the official squad selection on May 18. Public opinion is nearly split, with 47% supporting his inclusion and 45% opposed.
Meanwhile, the 2026 World Cup will usher in sweeping changes with an expanded format of 48 teams, heightening the number of matches and goal-scoring opportunities. This enhancement raises expectations for historic feats, especially from global stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé. Miroslav Klose currently holds the World Cup career goals record at 16. Messi has scored 13 goals across recent tournaments, and Mbappé has 12, with both players poised to challenge Klose’s mark this year. Previous tournaments showcased their scoring prowess—Mbappé netted 8 goals in 7 matches at the 2022 World Cup, while Messi scored 7 in the same number of games.
The World Cup scoring record carries symbolic weight, underscoring the legacies of legends such as Ronaldo Fenômeno and Pelé. Any changes at the top of this list during the 2026 event would mark a historic shift in football dominance on the sport’s grandest stage.
As Brazil's squad prepares amidst uncertain morale and high expectations, fans and players alike face a World Cup unlike any before — offering new challenges and the chance for football history to be rewritten.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
