Brazil arrive at the 2026 World Cup as the most decorated nation in the tournament's history and the only team to have played in every edition since 1930. This is their 23rd appearance. They carry five titles: 1958 in Sweden, where a teenage Pelé announced himself to the world; 1962 in Chile, carried by Garrincha after Pelé was injured early; 1970 in Mexico, with what many consider the finest team ever assembled; 1994 on penalties against Italy; and 2002 in Japan and South Korea, where Ronaldo scored both goals in a two nil final win over Germany. No other country has won it more.

Brazil's road to 2026 was turbulent. Fernando Diniz served as interim coach from mid 2023 before being dismissed in January 2024. Dorival Junior then took charge and guided the Selecão for over a year, but was sacked in March 2025 following a four goals to one defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires, Brazil's heaviest loss in World Cup qualifying. Carlo Ancelotti, arriving from Real Madrid and officially starting on 05/26/25, became the first non Brazilian ever to lead the Selecão at a World Cup. He sealed qualification in his first home match, a one nil win over Paraguay in São Paulo on 06/10/25: Vinícius Júnior converting Matheus Cunha's pass in the 44th minute. Brazil finished fifth in the CONMEBOL table on 28 points, behind Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, and Uruguay.