Brazil’s path to a potential sixth World Cup title begins with a difficult opening test against Morocco, a team entering the 2026 tournament with strong momentum after its historic run in 2022, when it became the first African side to reach a World Cup semifinal. For Brazil, now led by Carlo Ancelotti, the mood is far less settled. The team arrives under pressure, facing doubts about its form, direction, and ability to deliver on the expectations that always surround the national side.
The article draws a parallel with Brazil’s 1978 World Cup debut in Argentina, when VEJA published a cover story asking how the team would perform in its first match. At that time, Brazil was also entering a tournament with questions hanging over it. The squad had finished fourth in 1974 and was still adapting to life after the end of the Pelé era. Under coach Cláudio Coutinho, the team featured major names such as Emerson Leão, Toninho, Zico, Rivellino, Reinaldo, Toninho Cerezo and Roberto Dinamite. Even with that talent, there was uncertainty about whether Brazil could reclaim its place among the world’s elite.
That 1978 debut against Sweden ended in frustration. The match finished in a draw, but it became infamous for a disputed late moment that still angers many Brazilian fans. In the final seconds, Nelinho delivered a corner and Zico headed the ball into the net, only for the referee to blow the whistle before the ball crossed the line. The goal was disallowed, turning what could have been a winning start into one of the most controversial moments in World Cup history.
Nearly five decades later, the setting is different, but the pressure feels familiar. In 1978, the question was whether Brazil could remain a powerhouse without Pelé. In 2026, the issue is whether the team can finally end a title drought that has lasted more than 20 years. The discussion is also shaped by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Neymar, whose role and future remain part of the broader narrative around the squad.
Morocco, meanwhile, offers a formidable challenge. With players such as Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz, the North African team has become one of the most respected sides in international football. Brazil, the only five-time World Cup champion, must prove once again that it remains a team to fear on the biggest stage.
The piece closes by stressing that while tournaments, opponents and generations change, one constant remains: the world still stops to watch Brazil play.
