World Cup preview: Brazil

The World Cup has been full of entertainment so far but what does Group G have in store for us?

In collaboration with our good friends The Graphic Bomb, Playmaker have produced a World Cup guide packed with info on each of the nations taking part this winter and it's a pleasure to be able to share the stats, expert opinion and player analysis that we've stockpiled in the process.

Always one of the highlights of the tournament, Brazil could set the World Cup alight with 'jogo bonito' once again...

A star-studded Selecao claimed World Cup glory in South Korea 20 years ago to reinforce Brazil’s status as the best footballing country on the planet.

Although the crop of 2022 don’t have players of the same ilk and wow factor as Ronaldo, Rivaldo or Ronaldinho, they do arrive in Qatar in great form and with a fantastic team ethic instilled by coach Tite.

This unity, a winning blend of youth and experience, and arguably the two trickiest customers in world football, mean Brazil are - as ever - one of the favourites!

�Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Serially controversial, Neymar divides opinions like no other player on the planet. Whatever your take on his lifestyle, haircuts, regular strops and tiresome theatrics, what is impossible to deny is his outrageous natural talent.

For a player who too often appears to lack focus, this World Cup looks to have provided it - the gifted playmaker arriving in Qatar as the most productive player in Ligue 1 this season.

Despite the nagging sense that he has underachieved, the 30-year-old PSG star has won the lot at club level - and his dedication to arrive at the tournament in the best possible form suggests he is gunning for the ultimate prize. Beware World, Ney is coming for you!

�Lucas Figueiredo/ CBF

A vital player for European champions Real Madrid, Vinicius Junior is yet to establish himself to the same extent at international level despite plenty of opportunity.

Tite has placed plenty of trust in Brazil’s ‘NextGen’ of Vini’, his Real team-mate Rodrygo, Antony and Martinelli - but none of them are certain starters.

A return of one goal in 16 internationals underlines that Vinicius Jr has yet to find his feet for Brazil and, with Neymar often deployed in similar areas of the pitch, the 22-year-old is often sacrificed against stronger opposition.

That such an exceptional talent can be benched shows both the depth of this Brazil squad, and Tite’s tactical flexibility.

Opinion

Tradition, talent, youth, experience, tactical nous and a manager who knows what he is doing...Brazil have all the ingredients to win in Qatar.

After a tremendous qualifying stage, Brazil have only tasted defeat three times between Russia 2018 and now - and two of those losses were against Messi’s Argentina, another valid contender.

In terms of individual quality, only maybe France have more ‘resources’, but even Les Bleus lack the stability that Brazil currently have.

Brazil have not arrived at a World Cup in such fine fettle since... 2002.

🎩 Throw your hat into the ring to win this limited edition #FIFAWorldCup mug by:

a) Giving this a like and an RT!
b) Signing up to the Mighty Delta mailing list below

☕ We hope it's your cup of tea...

🗞 https://t.co/FjZpGaDTkH pic.twitter.com/PHM9RVVd27

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) November 23, 2022