Brazil at the FIFA World Cup

This article summarizes the results and overall performance of Brazil at the FIFA World Cup, including the qualification phase and the final phase, officially called the World Cup finals. The qualification phase, which currently takes place over the three years preceding the finals, is used to determine which teams qualify for the finals. The current format of the finals involves 32 teams competing for the title, at venues within the host nation (or nations) over a period of about a month. The World Cup Final is the most widely viewed sporting event in the world, with an estimated over 1 billion people watching the 2014 tournament final.[1]

Pelé celebrating winning the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico

Brazil is the most successful national team in the history of the World Cup, having won five titles, earning second place, third place and fourth place finishes twice each. Brazil is one of the countries besides Argentina, Spain and Germany to win a FIFA World Cup away from its continent and the only one to do it in four different continents. (Sweden 1958, Chile 1962, Mexico 1970, United States 1994 and South Korea/Japan 2002). Brazil is the only national team to have played in all FIFA World Cup editions without any absence or need for playoffs. In 22 World Cup tournaments, Brazil had 76 victories out of 114 matches. Brazil also has the best overall performance in World Cup history in both proportional and absolute terms with a record of 76 victories in 114 matches played, 129 goal difference, 247 points and only 19 losses.[2][3]

Traditionally, Brazil's greatest rival is Argentina. The two countries have met each other four times in the history of the FIFA World Cup, with two wins for Brazil (West Germany 1974 and Spain 1982), one for Argentina (Italy 1990) and a draw (Argentina 1978). The country that played most against Brazil in the finals is Sweden: 7 times, with five wins for Brazil and two draws. Three other historical rivals are Italy, which lost two World Cup finals against Brazil and eliminated the Brazilians in two tournaments (France 1938 and Spain 1982), France, which has defeated Brazil on three occasions (Mexico 1986, France 1998 and Germany 2006), and the Netherlands, which has eliminated Brazil at two of their five meetings (West Germany 1974 and South Africa 2010) and won the third place match in Brazil 2014.

Brazil won their first world cup final in 1958, 28 years after the first competition was held in 1930. The second longest streak before winning their fourth world cup title in 1994 came 24 years after winning their third title in 1970. Since earning their fifth world cup final and title in 2002, it has currently been 21 years since Brazil has reached and won another world cup final. By 2026, it will have been 24 years since Brazil has last won the title, the same duration between the third and the fourth title.

Records

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YearRoundPositionPldWD*LGFGA
1930Group stage6th210152
1934Round of 1614th100113
1938Third place3rd53111411
1950Runners-up2nd6411226
1954Quarter-finals5th311185
1958Champions1st6510164
1962Champions1st6510145
1966Group stage11th310246
1970Champions1st6600197
1974Fourth place4th732264
1978Third Place3rd7430103
1982Second group stage5th5401156
1986Quarter-finals5th5410101
1990Round of 169th430142
1994Champions1st7520113
1998Runners-up2nd74121410
2002Champions1st7700184
2006Quarter-finals5th5401102
2010Quarter-finals6th531194
2014Fourth place4th73221114
2018Quarter-finals6th531183
2022Quarter-finals7th531183
2026To be determined
2030
2034
Total22/225 Titles114761919237108

*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

World Cup titles

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YearManagerCaptainGoalscorer(s) in final
1958Vicente FeolaBelliniVavá (2), Pelé (2), Zagallo
1962Aymoré MoreiraMauro RamosAmarildo, Zito, Vavá
1970Mário ZagalloCarlos Alberto TorresPelé, Gérson, Jairzinho, Carlos Alberto Torres
1994Carlos Alberto ParreiraDungaN/A
2002Luiz Felipe ScolariCafuRonaldo (2)

By match

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YearRoundOpponentsScoreBrazil scorers
1930Group B  Yugoslavia1–2Preguinho
 Bolivia4–0Moderato (2), Preguinho (2)
1934Round of 16  Spain1–3Leônidas
1938Round of 16  Poland6–5 (a.e.t.)Leônidas (3), Romeu, Perácio (2)
Quarter-finals  Czechoslovakia1–1 (a.e.t.)Leônidas
Quarter-finals (replay)  Czechoslovakia2–1Leônidas, Roberto
Semi-finals  Italy1–2Romeu
Third place play-off  Sweden4–2Romeu, Leônidas (2), Perácio
1950Group A  Mexico4–0Ademir (2), Jair, Baltazar
  Switzerland2–2Alfredo, Baltazar
 Yugoslavia2–0Ademir, Zizinho
Final round  Sweden7–1Ademir (4), Chico (2), Maneca
 Spain6–1Ademir (2), Jair, Chico (2), Zizinho
Final  Uruguay1–2Friaça
1954Group A  Mexico5–0Baltazar, Didi, Pinga (2), Julinho
 Yugoslavia1–1 (a.e.t.)Didi
Quarter-finals  Hungary2–4Djalma Santos, Julinho
1958Group D  Austria3–0Mazzola (2), Nilton Santos
 England0–0
 Soviet Union2–0Vavá (2)
Quarter-finals  Wales1–0Pelé
Semi-finals  France5–2Vavá, Didi, Pelé (3)
Final  Sweden5–2Vavá (2), Pelé (2), Zagallo
1962Group C  Mexico2–0Pelé, Zagallo
 Czechoslovakia0–0
 Spain2–1Amarildo (2)
Quarter-finals  England3–1Garrincha (2), Vavá
Semi-finals  Chile4–2Garrincha (2), Vavá (2)
Final  Czechoslovakia3–1Amarildo, Zito, Vavá
1966Group C  Bulgaria2–0Pelé, Garrincha
 Hungary1–3Tostão
 Portugal1–3Rildo
1970Group C  Czechoslovakia4–1Rivelino, Pelé, Jairzinho (2)
 England1–0Jairzinho
 Romania3–2Pelé (2), Jairzinho
Quarter-finals  Peru4–2Rivelino, Tostão (2), Jairzinho
Semi-finals  Uruguay3–1Clodoaldo, Jairzinho, Rivelino
Final  Italy4–1Pelé, Gérson, Jairzinho, Carlos Alberto
1974Group 2  Yugoslavia0–0
 Scotland0–0
 Zaire3–0Jairzinho, Rivelino, Valdomiro
Group A  East Germany1–0Rivelino
 Argentina2–1Rivelino, Jairzinho
 Netherlands0–2
Third place play-off  Poland0–1
1978Group 3  Sweden1–1Reinaldo
 Spain0–0
 Austria1–0Roberto Dinamite
Group B  Peru3–0Dirceu (2), Zico
 Argentina0–0
 Poland3–1Nelinho, Roberto Dinamite (2)
Third place play-off  Italy2–1Nelinho, Dirceu
1982Group 6  Soviet Union2–1Sócrates, Éder
 Scotland4–1Zico, Oscar, Éder, Falcão
 New Zealand4–0Zico (2), Falcão, Serginho
Group C  Argentina3–1Zico, Serginho, Júnior
 Italy2–3Sócrates, Falcão
1986Group D  Spain1–0Sócrates
 Algeria1–0Careca
 Northern Ireland3–0Careca (2), Josimar
Round of 16  Poland4–0Sócrates, Josimar, Edinho, Careca
Quarter-finals  France1–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–4 p)
Careca
1990Group C  Sweden2–1Careca (2)
 Costa Rica1–0Müller
 Scotland1–0Müller
Round of 16  Argentina0–1
1994Group B  Russia2–0Romário, Raí
 Cameroon3–0Romário, Márcio Santos, Bebeto
 Sweden1–1Romário
Round of 16  United States1–0Bebeto
Quarter-finals  Netherlands3–2Romário, Bebeto, Branco
Semi-finals  Sweden1–0Romário
Final  Italy0–0 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 p)
1998Group A  Scotland2–1César Sampaio, Boyd (OG)
 Morocco3–0Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Bebeto
 Norway1–2Bebeto
Round of 16  Chile4–1Ronaldo (2), César Sampaio (2)
Quarter-finals  Denmark3–2Bebeto, Rivaldo (2)
Semi-finals  Netherlands1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)
Ronaldo
Final  France0–3
2002Group C  Turkey2–1Ronaldo, Rivaldo
 China4–0Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo
 Costa Rica5–2Ronaldo (2), Edmílson, Rivaldo, Júnior
Round of 16  Belgium2–0Rivaldo, Ronaldo
Quarter-finals  England2–1Rivaldo, Ronaldinho
Semi-finals  Turkey1–0Ronaldo
Final  Germany2–0Ronaldo (2)
2006Group F  Croatia1–0Kaká
 Australia2–0Adriano, Fred
 Japan4–1Ronaldo (2), Juninho, Gilberto
Round of 16  Ghana3–0Adriano, Ronaldo, Zé Roberto
Quarter-finals  France0–1
2010Group G  North Korea2–1Maicon, Elano
 Ivory Coast3–1Luís Fabiano (2), Elano
 Portugal0–0
Round of 16  Chile3–0Juan, Luís Fabiano, Robinho
Quarter-finals  Netherlands1–2Robinho
2014Group A  Croatia3–1Neymar (2), Oscar
 Mexico0–0
 Cameroon4–1Neymar (2), Fred, Fernandinho
Round of 16  Chile1–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 p)
David Luiz
Quarter-finals  Colombia2–1Thiago Silva, David Luiz
Semi-finals  Germany1–7Oscar
Third place play-off  Netherlands0–3
2018Group E   Switzerland1–1Coutinho
 Costa Rica2–0Coutinho, Neymar
 Serbia2–0Paulinho, Thiago Silva
Round of 16  Mexico2–0Neymar, Firmino
Quarter-finals  Belgium1–2Renato Augusto
2022Group G  Serbia2–0Richarlison (2)
  Switzerland1–0Casemiro
 Cameroon0–1
Round of 16  South Korea4–1Vinícius, Neymar, Richarlison, Paquetá
Quarter-finals  Croatia1–1 (a.e.t.)
(2–4 p)
Neymar

By opponent

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CountryPlayedWonDrawnLostGFGAGDWin%
 Sweden7520218+1371
 Mexico5410130+1380
 Czechoslovakia5320104+660
 Spain5311105+560
 Serbia522163+340
 Italy521297+240
 Netherlands5113510–520
 Chile4310124+875
 Scotland431072+575
 England431062+475
 Poland4301137+675
 Argentina421153+250
 France411267–125
 Costa Rica330082+6100
 Russia330061+5100
 Croatia321052+367
 Cameroon320172+567
  Switzerland312043+133
 Peru220072+5100
 Austria220040+4100
 Turkey220031+2100
 Uruguay210143+150
 Portugal201113–20
 Hungary200237–40
 Germany210137–450
 Belgium210132+150
 Bolivia110040+4100
 China110040+4100
 New Zealand110040+4100
 Japan110041+3100
 South Korea110041+3100
 Ghana110030+3100
 Morocco110030+3100
 Northern Ireland110030+3100
 Zaire110030+3100
 Ivory Coast110031+2100
 Australia110020+2100
 Denmark110032+1100
 Romania110032+1100
 Bulgaria110020+2100
 North Korea110021+1100
 Colombia110021+1100
 Algeria110010+1100
 East Germany110010+1100
 United States110010+1100
 Wales110010+1100
 Norway100112–10
Total114761919237108+12966

Record players

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Brazil's record World Cup player, Cafu is also the only player ever to have appeared in three consecutive World Cup finals: 1994, 1998 and 2002.

Cafu won the World Cup twice, in 1994 and in 2002, and is Brazil's record World Cup player.

Most matches played

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RankPlayerMatchesWorld Cups
1Cafu201994, 1998, 2002, 2006
2Ronaldo191994, 1998, 2002, 2006
3Cláudio Taffarel181990, 1994, 1998
Dunga181990, 1994, 1998
5Roberto Carlos171998, 2002, 2006
Lúcio172002, 2006, 2010
7Jairzinho161966, 1970, 1974
Gilberto Silva162002, 2006, 2010
9Nílton Santos151950, 1954, 1958, 1962
Didi151954, 1958, 1962
Rivellino151970, 1974, 1978
Bebeto151990, 1994, 1998

Most tournament appearances

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Altogether eight players share the record of four participations. The goalkeeper Émerson Leão is the only one who has played four tournaments non-consecutively (not called at 1982).

Apps.NamePos.World Cups
4CafuDF1994, 1998, 2002, 2006
CastilhoGK1950, 1954, 1958, 1962
Djalma SantosDF1954, 1958, 1962, 1966
LeãoGK1970, 1974, 1978, 1986
Nílton SantosDF1950, 1954, 1958, 1962
PeléFW1958, 1962, 1966, 1970
RonaldoFW1994, 1998, 2002, 2006
Thiago SilvaDF2010, 2014, 2018, 2022

Top scorers

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With 15 goals, Ronaldo is the second-most successful striker in World Cup history, behind only Miroslav Klose (16).

Five Brazilians have won the World Cup Golden Boot Award over the years: Leônidas with 7 goals in 1938, Ademir with 9 goals in 1950, Garrincha and Vavá with 4 goals each in 1962 and Ronaldo with 8 goals in 2002.

RankPlayerGoalsWorld Cups
1Ronaldo151998 (4), 2002 (8), 2006 (3)
2Pelé121958 (6), 1962 (1), 1966 (1), 1970 (4)
3Ademir91950
Vavá91958 (5), 1962 (4)
Jairzinho91970 (7), 1974 (2)
6Leônidas81934 (1), 1938 (7)
Rivaldo81998 (3), 2002 (5)
Neymar82014 (4), 2018 (2), 2022 (2)
9Careca71986 (5), 1990 (2)
10Bebeto61994 (3), 1998 (3)
Rivellino61970 (3), 1974 (3)

Players provided by club

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Below is the list of clubs that have provided more than 5 players throughout the FIFA World Cup editions:[4][5]

ClubTotal players
Botafogo47
São Paulo46
Flamengo36
Vasco da Gama34
Fluminense32
Corinthians24
Palmeiras
Santos
Real Madrid13
Atlético Mineiro12
Barcelona11
Cruzeiro
Roma10
Internazionale9
Paris Saint-Germain
Grêmio8
Internacional
Milan7
Benfica6
Chelsea
Juventus
Manchester City
Portuguesa
Notes
  • 1930: Some sources claim that players Doca (São Cristóvão) and Benevenuto (Flamengo) were not officially entered at the 1930 squad. This count includes Benevenuto and Doca. Araken never played for Flamengo, but he was registered as a club athlete just as a matter of formality, since APEA (São Paulo) was in a power struggle over command of Brazilian football with the CBD, situated in Rio de Janeiro. The player, in fact, had terminated with Santos and signed with São Paulo.[6][7]
  • 1934: This count does not include players who didn't travel to Italy and stayed on stand-by in Brazil: Almeida (Bahia), Bilé (Ypiranga-SP), Jaguaré (Corinthians) and Pamplona (Botafogo).[8] Neither includes Domingos da Guia, barred from participating in the competition by Nacional Montevideo, who had already ceded Patesko and demanded a high compensation fee.[9]

Awards and records

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Team awards

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Individual awards

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Other individual awards

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Awards as coaches of other nations

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Brazilian coaches have appeared on the sidelines of other nations with some regularity. Three of them have won team awards with their nations:

Team records

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  • Most titles (5)
  • Most participations (22)
  • Most games played (114)
  • Most victories (76)
  • Most goals scored (237)
  • Biggest goal difference (+129)
  • Most sendings-off (11)
  • Most finishes in the Top 8 (19) and Top 16 (22)
  • Most consecutive wins (11) and matches without losing (13)
  • One of two teams to have defended their title as champions (1962). The other being Italy (1938).
  • One of two teams to have progressed to three consecutive World Cup finals (1994-2002). The other being Germany (1982-1990).
  • Most wins in one tournament (7, 2002)
  • Biggest goal difference as champion (+14, 2002), shared with Germany (2014)

Individual records

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  • Pelé holds a number of FIFA World Cup records:
    • Only player to win three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970)
    • Youngest tournament winner (1958, at 17y 249d)
    • Youngest goalscorer (1958 v Wales, at 17y 239d)
    • Youngest hat-trick scorer (1958 v France, at 17y 244d)
    • Youngest goalscorer in a final (1958 v Sweden, at 17y 249d)
  • Youngest Golden Ball winner: Ronaldo (1998, at 21y 9m 24d)
  • Most appearances in an All-Star Team: Djalma Santos (3, 1954–1962) (shared with Franz Beckenbauer and Philipp Lahm)
  • Most appearances as a substitute: Denílson (11, 1998–2002)
  • Most tournament wins as player and coach: Mário Zagallo (3, 1958 & 1962 as player, 1970 as coach)
  • Only player to appear in three consecutive FIFA World Cup finals: Cafu (1994, 1998 and 2002)
  • Most team awards won: Cafu (4, 1994–2006)
  • Most cautions: Cafu (6), shared with Zinedine Zidane and Rafael Márquez[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup reached 3.2 billion viewers, one billion watched final" (Press release). FIFA. Archived from the original on 19 December 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  2. ^ "FIFA World Cup Teams Statistics". FIFA. Retrieved 17 November 2017.[dead link]
  3. ^ "World Cup All Time League Table". WorldFootball.net. 25 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Copa: Botafogo segue líder entre clubes que mais cederam jogadores à Seleção". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). Blog Numerólogos. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  5. ^ Serra, Michael (19 November 2022). "Guia Histórico da Copa do Mundo 2022" (PDF). São Paulo FC (in Portuguese).
  6. ^ "Araken Patusca: a curiosa história de um dos astros da Seleção Brasileira na primeira Copa do Mundo" (in Portuguese). CBF. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  7. ^ "São Paulo em Copas: clube já cedeu 46 jogadores ao Brasil, mas não tem convocados há 16 anos". GloboEsporte (in Portuguese). 25 November 2022.
  8. ^ Gehringer, Max (3 September 2021). A grande história dos mundiais 1930, 1934, 1938, 1950 (in Portuguese). e-Galáxia. ISBN 978-65-8763-955-0.
  9. ^ Vellozo Ribas, Lycio (2018). O Livro de Ouro das Copas (in Portuguese). Faro Digital. ISBN 978-85-9581-013-6.
  10. ^ "FIFA World Cup All Time Statistics — All editions". FIFA. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
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