Teams
Brazil struggled through qualifying, where they finished in fifth placed in the ten team campaign, but as always, they will be one of the teams to really look out for this summer. As the only nation to have played in every single World Cup tournament since 1930, it wouldn’t be a World Cup without the Brazilians, but their last few tournaments have ended in disappointment by their high standards. In four of the last five World Cups, they have been knocked out at the Quarter Finals stage, and the only tournament was the one they hosted, where they were humiliating knocked out by Germany in the semi finals in that 1-7 defeat. They lost 6 matches in qualifying for the World Cup this time around, the joint highest number of defeats for them in a single campaign. The last time they did that was in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup in Japan / South Korea which they went on to win. Can history repeat itself?
Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Whilst Vinicius Junior can be considered to be a polarising figure in world football, there is no denying that he is one of the best players in the world right now. The 25 year old has been instrumental towards Real Madrid’s successes in recent seasons. In over 240 matches over the last 5 years at the club, he averages a goal or assist every 0.75 games, and a Ballon D’Or is not beyond him should results go for him in this summer’s tournament. He only has 8 goals for his country in 47 caps, but he will be the key man going forward for a few World Cups to come for Brazil.
