Raphinha stood up when Brazil needed someone

Raphinha: the one who never hid

Ana Thaís Matos has singled out Raphinha as one of the few Brazil players who stood up during a chaotic World Cup cycle. "He was one of the few who didn't hide," she said. "He showed up in important moments. Tried free-kicks. Appeared on set pieces."

With Neymar injured and Casemiro fading from the picture, Matos praised Raphinha for carrying the weight when others went missing (2). The winger has already admitted he is not fully fit heading into the tournament, which makes the praise land differently – he answered the call when the team needed voices, even when his own body wasn't 100%.

Ancelotti turns 67, squad delivers a pasillo

Brazil players celebrated Carlo Ancelotti's 67th birthday with a traditional pasillo – a guard of honour – during World Cup preparations (5). The gesture reflects the squad's spirit under a manager navigating his first major tournament at international level after a career built on club success.

Brazil open against Morocco on Saturday

Brazil kick off their World Cup campaign against Morocco this Saturday in Group C (4). The opener comes with genuine stakes: if Brazil fail to win this tournament, Germany could match their five titles for the first time in over 30 years (4).

Only Brazil and Germany have reached three consecutive World Cup finals – a record France could equal this summer (3). The Seleção's defensive fragilities, exposed in a recent friendly, will be tested immediately.

Neymar leads Olympic medal count at the World Cup

Neymar is the only player at the 2026 World Cup with two Olympic medals. He is one of seven Brazilians in the squad who have stood on an Olympic podium, alongside Alex Sandro, Marquinhos, Douglas Santos, Bruno Guimarães, Matheus Cunha, and Gabriel Martinelli (1).

It is a reminder that this squad carries experience across multiple stages – but the one that matters most starts Saturday.