Brazil national team coach Dorival Júnior confident in World Cup 2026 prospects

By Robert Mutasi 

Dorival Júnior, the head coach of Brazil, raised the bar before the 2026 FIFA World Cup by insisting that the Seleção, his country's national team, would be among the finalists. 

His words have sent ripples among football enthusiasts who follow Brazil's campaign as they gear towards the tournament.

In his statement of passion, Dorival insisted, "We will be finalists at World Cup 2026. I am 100% certain. Mark my words. Record me. We WILL be there."

This confidence outlines the aspiration of the five-time world champions who, following failure in the last couple of tournaments, want to reclaim worldwide dominance.

Former Brazilian caretaker manager in 2023, Dorival Júnior, has been highly praised for both his tactical nous and the ability to bind a talented but sometimes nomadic squad. 

The Brazilian boss had spells in charge of the top clubs in Brazil such as Flamengo and Santos and is known for being forthright with his players while managing them well.

In fact, Brazil last won the World Cup in 2002 and has since then suffered disappointment after disappointment on the most visible stage for football. 

Most painfully, their defeat at the hands of Germany in the 2014 semis on home soil has left an indelible mark on Brazilian football.

The Seleção, despite fielding some of the most talented players in the world, have failed to add a sixth World Cup trophy to their cabinet.

With a new generation coming through, such as Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior and Manchester United's Antony, Brazil once more goes into this tournament as one of the favorites. 

Dorival emphasized that his team has the full capacity to qualify for the final, a view that underlines the team's potential dominance in 2026.

The 2026 World Cup will be shared by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and one can be sure it will be an exciting tournament with Brazil, under the stewardship of Dorival, trying to make good on his sanguine forecast.