Brazil will start their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign against Serbia at Lusail stadium on 25 November. Brazil, who announced their final 26 squad on November 7, are putting up an impressive show, winning the last 15 matches that they have played in. The tournament being coach Tite’s last one in that role, Brazil would love to go the distance and end the title drought of 20 years.

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Strengths:  Brazil has been in dominant form having only lost 1 game (Copa America finals to Argentina in 2021) in the last two years and is also atop the FIFA World rankings. They have been aggression personified with Neymar and Richarlison scoring well and ably supported by young strikers Vinícius junior and Gabriel Jesus. Brazil will look forward to capitalising big-time on this and win a second World Cup on Asian soil.

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Weaknesses: Brazil’s defence may be considered their Achilles Heel having not had a tight defensive line-up. 39-year-old Dani Alvez’s return to the team only highlights chinks in Brazil’s defensive armour. If not urgently attended to, the vulnerable defence may hurt Brazil’s prospects in the Cup.

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Expectations: With the rankings and recent form favouring them, Brazil will be looking forward to winning a record 6th FIFA World Cup. With 75 goals for Brazil, Neymar is only 2 short of Pelé’s record of 77 and is widely expected to overtake the legend at this World Cup. Featuring in Group G alongside relatively weaker sides such as Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon, Brazil is expected to breeze into the round of 16 but will face stiffer challenges as the tournament progresses.

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Threats:  Despite their recent form which includes Copa America victory in 2019 and an Olympic gold in 2021, lack of confidence may plague the star-studded team. Their recent awful World Cup form which includes a miserable 1-7 loss to Germany in the 2014 semi final at home, may come back to haunt the upbeat team’s ambitions.