Casemiro says Brazil are not 2026 World Cup favourites despite strong squad

Brazil arrived in the United States on Tuesday ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with midfielder Casemiro saying the five-time champions are not among the leading favourites. The tournament, hosted across North America, runs from June 11 to July 19. Bookmakers currently rate Spain, 2018 winners France and England ahead of Brazil to lift the trophy. Casemiro framed the underdog tag as a potential benefit that could sharpen the team’s focus.

The 34-year-old acknowledged Brazil’s quality and balance, noting the squad blends experienced names with emerging talent. He also pointed to the team’s long wait for another title: Brazil have not won the World Cup in 24 years despite qualifying for every edition. The midfielder said the group aims to arrive in top condition and deliver a strong tournament.

Casemiro described a difficult preparation cycle, citing leadership changes at the Brazilian Football Confederation and a new coaching setup. He said the national team has had limited collective time together under the new manager, estimating roughly 40 days of work as a group. Even so, he stressed the side’s mix of experience and youth as a source of optimism.

Casemiro tempers expectations

While Brazil’s history and player pool usually place them among tournament favourites, Casemiro said external expectations are lower this time. He suggested that entering a World Cup “a step behind” can heighten alertness and help the team avoid complacency. He reiterated confidence in the squad’s form and conditioning as the group stage approaches.

Underdog label as motivation

Positioning themselves outside the top tier of favourites could ease pressure on an historically dominant side. Casemiro said the objective remains unchanged: arrive prepared, compete with intensity and target a deep run. He emphasised that the squad’s internal standards will drive performance regardless of betting odds.

Ancelotti era and short preparation

The Brazilian federation appointed Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti and named a new president last year, changes Casemiro described as part of a bumpy cycle. He noted the national team has only recently been able to work together under the new staff for an extended stretch, totaling about 40 days.

Leadership reset at CBF

Despite the transition, Casemiro highlighted the manager’s top-level experience and the squad’s depth across positions. He said the roster includes quality, energy and a balance of profiles suited to tournament play, setting a platform for cohesion to improve as the matches arrive.

Group C schedule and venues

Brazil open Group C against Morocco on June 13 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. They then face Haiti on June 19 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before meeting Scotland on June 24 in Miami, Florida. The sequence gives Brazil short domestic travel windows between matches within the United States.

All eyes now turn to how quickly Brazil can translate limited collective training into on-field fluency. Their response in the opening match will indicate whether the underdog framing endures or shifts as the tournament unfolds.