Brazil, which has won the World Cup the most times, may not be able to reach the World Cup threshold. The five-star emblem engraved on the chest looks colorless.
On the 22nd (South Korean time), the Brazilian national football team played the 6th round of the 2026 North and Central American World Cup South American qualifiers against the Argentine team at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The home team Brazil lost 0-1. As a result, the Brazilian team lost three consecutive games and dropped to sixth place in the South American qualifiers. A tough battle took place throughout the game. On the Brazilian side, with Neymar and Richardson absent due to injury, Jesus, Rodrigo, and Rafinha were selected as the starting lineups.
Few people score. In the 18th minute of the second half, Otamendi headed the ball and conceded, falling behind 0-1. This is their third consecutive defeat in the South American qualifiers. Brazil lost 0-2 away to Uruguay on the 18th of last month and 1-2 away to Colombia on the 17th of this month. They suffered two consecutive losses away from home. This time, they lost 0-1 to Argentina at home. When they lost to their biggest opponent Argentina at home, the atmosphere plummeted. The Brazilian team has never lost a home game in the World Cup qualifiers.
As of recently, a total of 64 home games have been played, achieving a record of 51 wins and 13 draws. We lost our 65th home game. The Brazilian team has won the World Cup championship five times. They won the World Cup trophy in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002. That's why I can carve 5 stars on my chest. After Brazil, Germany, Italy (4 times), Argentina (3 times), and France (2 times) have frequently won World Cup trophies.
So these three consecutive defeats are even more embarrassing. This is the first time in 22 years that Brazil has lost three consecutive international matches. In the 2001 Confederations Cup, World Cup South American qualifiers, and Copa America, they lost four consecutive games to France, Australia, Uruguay, and Mexico. Although we won the trophy at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, the atmosphere before the match was not good. The impact of changes in directors is significant.
Coach Qi Qi, who has led the Brazilian national team for the past six years, immediately stepped down after the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Real Madrid coach Ancelotti has been appointed as the new head coach, but he will officially take office next year. Therefore, head coach Fernando Diniz has been serving as both the head coach of Fruminense and the Brazilian national team for one year.
A total of 10 teams will participate in the World Cup South American qualifiers. Six of the teams will advance to the finals of the 2026 North and Central American World Cup. Brazil still ranks sixth and is catching up with fifth place Ecuador, fourth place Venezuela, third place Colombia, second place Uruguay, and first place Argentina.
