What's happening with Brazil?

The 2026 World Cup qualifying journey, which seemed easy with six direct spots for South America, has now become a worry as the Selecao team faces a serious crisis. With a gap of 6 points over Venezuela, no one doubts that Brazil will qualify for the World Cup, but that is not the problem. For the people of the land of Samba, the qualifying round is just a stepping stone, and their only goal is to win the world championship.

Looking back at the 2022 World Cup, Brazil is not lacking in strength. A strong, well-organized squad makes them a strong candidate for the championship. However, the Selecao fell to Croatia in a regrettable match, with only one shot on target from the opponent being enough to knock Brazil out of the tournament.

After that defeat, the question was asked: "What caused Brazil's rapid decline?"

Broken on the pitch - Brazil lacks soul

On March 26, Brazil received a painful slap when they lost 1-4 to Argentina in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This was an inexcusable defeat, because the Selecao were no longer themselves. They lacked a solid midfield, could not control the game, and were easily penetrated by the smooth play of their opponents. From a strong Brazil, they are now just a disorganized, fragmented collective.

Coach Dorival Jr. is under a lot of pressure for not being able to help Brazil regain its original identity. Under his leadership, the team has lost its uniformity, the players are like individuals instead of a unified unit. When stars like Vinicius Jr. have to carry the team, the problem of the lack of a quality midfield becomes more obvious.

Selecao has a strong attack, but not enough.

One of the main reasons Brazil fell into crisis was the lack of a "conductor" in the midfield area. Lucas Paqueta, who was considered the "bridge" between defense and attack, was absent due to off-field troubles. Without Paqueta, Brazil completely lost the ability to organize and coordinate the game.

Neymar, Brazil's brightest star, could not save the situation either. Although he was expected to return and help the team overcome the difficult period, injuries continued to hinder him. Neymar could not regain his best form after the injury, and was no longer strong enough to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the team.

When coach Dorival Jr. opted to play with two central midfielders against Argentina, it proved to be a huge mistake. Despite the quality of the Selecao, they were no match for Argentina’s sharpness and organization. When the game got tense, Brazil easily lost their cool, something a team once known for their composure and technique could not maintain throughout the match.

One of the most important tasks of a coach is to develop tactics, choose the right formation and coordinate the players' morale. Dorival Jr. failed completely in this. Not only did they have difficulty in terms of tactics, the Selecao also had to face shortcomings in maintaining the emotions and spirit of the players, which led to a quick collapse when faced with pressure.

Who will save Brazil?

Brazil fans are now expecting a big change in the team, and that could come in the form of a new coach. If the Selecao part ways with Dorival Jr, Brazil could look to two options. One is to choose a coach with international experience like Jorge Jesus, the Portuguese tactician who had great success with Flamengo. The other is to put faith in the younger generation, with names like Filipe Luis - the former Chelsea defender who is making his mark as coach at Flamengo.

The heavy defeat against Argentina was a heavy slap in the face for Brazil.

Regardless of who takes charge, Brazil's core problem remains their midfield. To regain their top position, they need to restore the midfield - the place that was the heart of the legendary Samba style of play.

Brazilian fans still remember 2002, when Ronaldo, after being considered "past his prime", made a strong comeback and helped Brazil win their fifth World Cup. This was a testament to the power of revival, when Brazil can rise from defeat and conquer the top.

If Brazil can win the title next year, after a heavy defeat to Argentina, it will be one of the greatest comebacks in football history. The dark days could just be the beginning of a new, magical chapter for the Selecao.

The 2026 World Cup is still more than a year away, and with the current crop of outstanding individuals, Brazil can still hope. However, to reach the top of glory again, they need more than just stars. They need a truly strong, well-organized team capable of overcoming challenges. The big question now is whether Brazil can find their soul before it is too late?