Brazil Suffer Early Exit from Copa América, Raising Concerns Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers
In a shocking turn of events, Brazil’s national football team, the Seleção, suffered an early exit from the Copa América, losing to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals. This latest defeat marks the eighth time Brazil has been eliminated from a tournament held outside their home country before the semi-finals since 2000, painting a grim picture for the football powerhouse.
Heading into the summer’s Copa América, there were already concerns about Brazil’s chances of winning their 10th title. However, the tournament was seen as an opportunity to build momentum before the crucial World Cup qualifiers, where Brazil currently sit in a precarious sixth position in the standings, raising fears of missing the 2026 tournament altogether.
Under the guidance of coach Dorival Júnior, who was brought in to stabilize the team, Brazil put in strong performances against Spain and England in March. But the Copa América did little to silence Dorival’s doubters, with criticism mounting over his in-game management and substitutions. Alarmingly, his authority over the star-studded squad has been questioned, with reports of the players ignoring him during a crucial penalty shootout moment.
The performance and results of the team have raised serious concerns. Brazil won just one game, a 4-1 hammering of Paraguay, while drawing their other three matches against Costa Rica, Colombia, and Uruguay. The team’s trademark slick, free-flowing moves were sorely lacking, with little intensity and joy on the pitch.
“The focus has particularly been on Vinícius Júnior, the young star who has struggled to replicate his club form for the national team. Despite scoring twice against Paraguay, Vinícius was unable to convince on the bigger stage, and was even suspended for the quarter-final after picking up two cheap bookings in the group stage.”
The failure to get Vinícius more involved, however, falls on the team’s midfield, which has been unable to provide the necessary support and structure for the forward to thrive. The physicality and high-octane press of Uruguay exposed the weaknesses in Brazil’s midfield, with players like Lucas Paquetá, João Gomes, and Bruno Guimarães unable to handle the pressure.
With Argentina, Uruguay, and Colombia currently ahead of Brazil in the South American rankings, the Seleção find themselves in a precarious position. If the team’s fortunes do not turn around quickly, they could be in danger of missing the 2026 World Cup altogether, and the future of coach Dorival Júnior may also be in jeopardy.
The Copa América exit has left Brazil’s football fans searching for answers, with the team’s latest underperformance adding to the growing concerns ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifiers. The Seleção will need to find a way to rediscover their identity and form if they are to regain their status as one of the top contenders in the world of football.
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