Brazil's World Cup Concerns Grow as Team Faces Scotland Amid Criticism and Neymar Uncertainty

The Lead

As Brazil prepares to face Scotland in the 2026 World Cup, the five-time champions find themselves under scrutiny after their worst-ever qualifying campaign and unconvincing performances in the tournament so far. Despite boasting some of the world's biggest stars, the Seleção has failed to inspire confidence, with pundits and fans expressing growing concerns about their prospects.

The Struggling Five-Time Champions

Brazil's journey to this point has been far from smooth. They finished fifth in the Conmebol qualifying table with just 28 points from 18 games—their worst qualifying campaign in history. While competitive in a 2-1 defeat to France in March, followed by wins against Croatia, Panama, and Egypt in friendlies, those results may have provided false hope.

In their World Cup opener, Brazil were lucky to escape with a 1-1 draw against Morocco after being outclassed for most of the match. Only Vinícius Júnior's moment of individual brilliance saved them. Their subsequent 3-0 victory over Haiti, a team making their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, did little to quell criticism, with midfielder Casemiro sarcastically responding "3-0?" when asked if his team had convinced.

Pundit Criticism

The sentiment back in Brazil is one of apprehension and distrust. Mauro Cezar Pereira, one of the country's biggest pundits, has noted that "those who understand even the basics of football don't have much faith" in the current team. He criticized Carlo Ancelotti's work as "far below what it should be." Paulo Vinícius Coelho (PVC), another heavyweight of Brazilian punditry, echoed these sentiments, stating that Brazilians "feel like we're seeing a team that isn't showing much sign of having a great World Cup."

The criticism extends beyond just results. Many question the team's preparation, tactical approach, and the selection of certain players, particularly the controversial inclusion of Neymar despite his lack of match fitness.

The Neymar Conundrum

Neymar's situation has dominated Brazilian football discourse. The 34-year-old, Brazil's all-time top scorer, is in the squad yet to play a single minute of what is expected to be his final World Cup. His inclusion was surrounded by drama worthy of a soap opera, with conspiracy theories suggesting that Santos and Neymar staged a supposed officiating blunder to force his substitution in a league match.

TV pundit Neto has been particularly critical, questioning Neymar's focus and fitness: "Do you see Messi injured with a calf strain, like Neymar is? When did Messi go 10 days without training or miss five games in a row? Neymar, that's all I want from you. Just that." Pereira, another known critic, stated: "Neymar shouldn't even be in the national team. He hasn't played for 36 days after going 30 without touching a ball."

Despite the criticism, reports suggest Neymar may be given a few minutes against Scotland, but only if Brazil are in a "favourable" situation. The plan is reportedly to play him as a false nine "so as not to have so many marking assignments." Ancelotti has stated: "Neymar's well, he can play, I'm very happy with him."

Tactical Uncertainties

Brazil's attacking options have been further hampered by injuries. Rodrygo is missing the entire tournament, while Raphinha picked up a hamstring injury against Haiti. This has forced Ancelotti to reconsider his approach, with Matheus Cunha—who scored twice against Haiti—potentially moving into a central role.

The coach may experiment with a system where Cunha plays as a No. 10 who drops deep, allowing the wingers to play as strikers—a formation Ancelotti used successfully at Real Madrid during the 2023-24 season. However, with Rodrygo absent and Raphinha injured, the team lacks its usual width and creativity.

Many fans back home would like to see teenager Endrick given a chance, but Ancelotti seems unconvinced by the young forward. The coach's tactical decisions will be crucial as Brazil looks to improve their performances and advance in the tournament.

Looking Ahead

As Brazil faces Scotland, the pressure is mounting on the team to deliver a convincing performance. The match presents an opportunity for Ancelotti to address some of the concerns raised by pundits and fans alike. Whether Neymar will feature and how effective he can be after his extended absence remains to be seen.

For Brazil, this World Cup represents a chance to reclaim their status among football's elite, but their current form and the surrounding questions suggest a challenging path ahead. The team must quickly find their rhythm and cohesion if they are to mount a serious challenge for their sixth title.