Top News

Otavio Dutra, the Brazilian-born naturalised player who once represented the Indonesian national team, believes that player experience will be a crucial factor distinguishing teams in the 2026 World Cup.

According to Dutra, the overall quality of world football has become more balanced in recent years.

He noted that beyond technical ability, nearly all participating nations now possess remarkable physical strength and tactical sophistication, which will make the competition extremely fierce.

“The 2026 World Cup will be very difficult, in my opinion, because all countries are now very good. But it’s not only about technical quality; physical strength also plays a big role,” said the tall defender, who featured for Indonesia in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Dutra observed that many teams heading into the upcoming World Cup boast exceptional physical attributes while maintaining strong technical and tactical foundations.

He cited France and Germany as two nations that embody a complete blend of power, skill, and strategy.

“France and Germany are two teams that, for me, are outstanding both physically and technically. Their tactical organisation is also excellent,” said the PSIS Semarang player for the 2025/2026 season.

In addition, Dutra still sees Argentina as one of the strongest contenders.

Although their physical characteristics differ from those of France and Germany, the South American side is known for its superior technical quality.

“Argentina are also very good. Physically, they may differ slightly from France or Germany, but their technical ability is extraordinary,” he added.

Amid such intense competition, Dutra emphasised that player experience will be a key advantage.

He explained that the World Cup’s short tournament format requires teams to adapt quickly, which favours squads with seasoned players.

“As for Brazil, I see many new players in this team. I don’t know how they will perform because the World Cup is a very fast-paced tournament. I think countries with more experienced players will have their own advantage,” Dutra stated.

Nevertheless, he remains optimistic about Brazil’s prospects.

Dutra hopes that the Selecao can perform better than in the previous edition and once again battle for the world title.

“The competition will be very tight. But personally, I hope Brazil can go far, because everyone knows Brazil is always among the favourites, having won the World Cup several times,” he said.

“Even with many young players who may not yet be well-known, I hope Brazil can do better than in the last World Cup,” he continued.

Dutra also commented on Brazil’s decision to call up Neymar, who is still recovering from injury.

He believes that the experience of the all-time top scorer for the Brazilian national team could be a valuable asset for the Selecao if he manages to return to peak fitness.

“Brazil called up Neymar even though he’s still injured. Of course, Brazilians hope he can play because his experience can contribute a lot to the team. But we’ll have to see about his physical condition, and we don’t yet know how he’ll be by the time the World Cup comes around,” Dutra concluded.