Brazilian National Team Head Coach claims his side will be the finalists of the FIFA World Cup 2026

Brazillian coach Dorival Junior has confidently stated that his team will secure a spot in the FIFA World Cup final in 2026. This bold assertion was made during a press conference during the team's qualifying matches.

Before the match against Paraguay, the coach expressed his optimism to the press, foreseeing the team's advancement to the tournament's final stage in the upcoming years.

"We will be in the 2026 World Cup final. We will be finalists. You can film me while I’m saying this. I have no doubts. We will be there," Coach Dorival Junior boldly stated.

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New Coach is ready for the challenge 

Dorival Junior assumed the role of national team coach in January 2024. Following Brazil's disappointing performance in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar under Tite's leadership, Ramon Menezes briefly took over as caretaker manager before passing the reins to Fernando Diniz in July 2023.

The 62-year-old former Palmeiras player and coach assumed his current position earlier this year. His initial challenge involved leading the team through the 2024 Copa America without their influential player, Neymar Jr. The Selecao made a strong start but unfortunately exited the tournament after a loss to Uruguay in the quarter-final on penalties.

Brazil, a team with an illustrious history of five World Cup victories, resumed their qualifying campaign under coach Dorival Junior with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Saturday, September 7. Real Madrid forward Rodrygo secured the only goal of the match to keep their hopes of qualification alive. The coach's upcoming task is an away match against Paraguay tonight, September 10.

Rodrygo claims the team needs Neymar 

Brazil's goalscorer against Ecuador, Rodrygo, believes that his idol Neymar Jr. holds the key to the team's success at the 2026 edition. Neymar is currently out injured and missed the team's 2024 Copa America campaign as well.

Talking about missing the 32-year-old Al-Hilal forward with the Selecao, Rodrygo admitted that Neymar is the team's best player.

He told ESPN, "I have no words. Everyone can see it, it's clear how much he's missed. He's our star, our best player. To win a World Cup, everyone has to be well to help him. If he's well, which is what we're hoping for, he's in the final stages of his recovery. We want him back as soon as possible." 

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