Brazil

Few nations carry the weight of expectation quite like Brazil. The most decorated side in the tournament's history, the Selecao have turned World Cup football into a national art form across the generations, blending flair, rhythm and ruthless winning know-how. Whenever the yellow shirt takes the field, opponents and neutrals alike know they are watching one of the game's true royal houses.

The 2026 campaign begins in Group C, where Brazil are listed as the home side for all three group matches across the United States. The expectation, as ever, is qualification with style — but this is a squad balancing a new wave of attacking talent with the demand to deliver on the sport's biggest stage. Group football rewards composure as much as quality, and Brazil will want to settle their rhythm early before the knockouts arrive.

Group C offers genuine intrigue. Morocco arrive as one of the most respected and well-organised teams around, capable of frustrating anyone; Scotland bring passion, structure and a famously committed support; and Haiti add unpredictability and pride to the mix. For Brazil, there are no nights off — each rival has the tools to make life uncomfortable if the favourites are anything less than switched on.

Under the expanded 48-team format, the maths is clear: the top two from every group advance automatically to the Round of 32, with the eight best third-placed teams completing the bracket. That gives Brazil a strong margin for error, but the Selecao's ambition runs higher than mere survival — finishing top of Group C means momentum, a kinder path, and the kind of statement a five-star nation expects to make from the very first whistle.