Brazil's potential route to the 2026 World Cup final - how they could win it

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Brazil's World Cup group

Group C has a little deju vu about it, with three teams drawn together in the same pool as they were at France '98. Back then Brazil opened against Scotland before games against Morocco and Norway. 

This time around the five-time winners begin against the Africans in what is one of the standout games from the opening round of group matches. 

They then play Haiti before finishing their group endeavours against the Scots in Miami, by which point they would hope they would have already secured their path to the next stage. 

Who could Brazil face in the Round of 32?

If Brazil do win their group, they'll come up against a runner-up from Group F, which is likely to be one of the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden. 

The match would take place on 29 June at the NRG Stadium, in Houston, with each team possibly presenting different problems for Carlo Ancelotti's side. 

Should the Brazilian's finish second in their group, then it would be the winners from Group F, so they'll be keeping a close eye on how that group shakes down. 

If things go really wrong in the groups, then a third-place finish could see them facing a group winner and an early meeting with the likes of Portugal, Germany or England. 

EFE

Brazil's potential opponents in the Round of 16

If they get to the round of 16 having topped their group, then there is a possible last 16 tie against Norway, Senegal or Ivory Coast depending on how the results pan out in those teams' respective groups. 

A second-place finish could see them play hosts Canada or possibly a tie against one of the Czech Republic, South Korea or Bosnia-Herzegovina. 

England the most likely quarter-final opponent

Should Brazil top the group and progress to the quarter-finals, then their most likely opponents would be England. 

The two teams haven't met at a World Cup since 2002, when Ronaldinho's famous lob over David Seaman ended the Three Lions' campaign at the same stage. 

If the South Americans finish second in their group and reach the quarter-finals, then we could see a repeat of the 1998 final as they take on France. 

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Brazil could face Argentina in the semi-finals

If Brazil do win their group and reach the semi-finals, then we could potentially see a jaw-dropping meeting between them and rivals Argentina.  

Should they meet, then the match is scheduled to take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, on July 15.

A second-placed group finish would change things and see Spain waiting for them in the final four. 

So, to the final

That match is scheduled to take place at the MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford on July 19, with kick-off set for 8pm BST.

And it could see Brazil play either Germany, Spain or it could even be Argentina depending on where each team finishes in their group. 

Who made Carlo Ancelotti's squad?

Here is the Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup 

 

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