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MALAYSIA – Zaheeri, an Acehnese student currently studying at As Sofa Islamic College in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, has named Brazil as his top pick to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to Zaheeri, Brazil possesses all the elements necessary to reclaim the world champion title.

From their deep footballing tradition, individual player quality, squad depth, to the presence of an experienced coach capable of managing a team full of stars — Brazil, he believes, has it all.

“I’m very confident that Brazil will win the 2026 World Cup. They have top-quality players, a captivating football philosophy, and a coach with vast experience at the highest level of world football,” he said.

For Zaheeri, one of the biggest attractions of the Brazilian national team lies in their distinct playing identity known as Jogo Bonito, or “the beautiful game.”

This football philosophy, which has been Brazil’s hallmark for decades, emphasizes creativity, freedom of expression, and exceptional individual technical ability.

Jogo Bonito was popularized by Brazilian football legend Pelé and remains an enduring symbol of the Samba nation’s footballing culture.

The philosophy views football not merely as a sport to win, but also as an art form meant to entertain the audience.

According to Zaheeri, there are several core elements that make Jogo Bonito truly special.

The first is the individual skill of players — relying on agility, dribbling ability, and various techniques to outplay opponents.

The second is creativity and instinct in building attacks through fluid and dynamic play.

The third is the spirit of joy that encourages players to express themselves freely and play with beauty and grace.

“Brazil always produces players with extraordinary technical ability. They play with high creativity and can entertain the fans. That’s what makes me love Brazilian football so much,” he said.

In addition to their attractive attacking style, Zaheeri also believes that Brazil currently has a very solid defence.

The presence of experienced players such as Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães provides balance and stability to the team.

He believes that the combination of a resilient defence and a creative attacking line makes Brazil one of the most complete teams in the world today.

Another factor fueling Zaheeri’s optimism is the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as Brazil’s head coach.

The Italian tactician is widely regarded as one of the most successful managers in modern football history.

Throughout his career, Ancelotti has achieved numerous prestigious honours, including being the only coach to win the UEFA Champions League five times.

He has also lifted league titles in five of Europe’s top leagues — Italy, England, France, Germany, and Spain.

“Ancelotti has incredible experience. He knows how to build championship-winning teams and manage superstar players. His presence makes Brazil even stronger and a worthy favourite to win the World Cup,” Zaheeri added.

For Zaheeri, his admiration for the Brazilian national team goes beyond mere fandom.

The beautiful football displayed by Brazilian players has been a source of inspiration for his own football journey.

The young student in Malaysia said he feels motivated to keep training and improving his football skills.

He hopes to develop his talent further while upholding sportsmanship and the hardworking spirit exemplified by Brazilian players.

“Brazil’s style of play always motivates me to keep practising. I’ve learned that football is not just about winning, but also about creativity, teamwork, discipline, and giving your best on the pitch,” he said.

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Zaheeri hopes Brazil can perform at their best and lift the trophy again — a feat last achieved in 2002.

“I hope Brazil can stay consistent and claim the world title. With the quality of players they have now and an experienced coach, I believe their chances are very strong,” he concluded.

Brazil National Team Squad

The official 26-player Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup, as announced by coach Carlo Ancelotti, includes:

Goalkeepers

Alisson Becker
Ederson
Weverton

Defenders

Alex Sandro
Bremer
Danilo
Douglas Santos
Gabriel Magalhães
Ibañez
Léo Pereira
Marquinhos
Wesley

Midfielders

Bruno Guimarães
Casemiro
Danilo Santos
Fabinho
Lucas Paquetá

Forwards

Endrick
Gabriel Martinelli
Igor Thiago
Luiz Henrique
Matheus Cunha
Neymar
Raphinha
Rayan
Vinícius Júnior

Predicted Brazil Starting XI (4-3-3):

Alisson; Wesley, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Alex Sandro; Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Lucas Paquetá; Raphinha, Vinícius Júnior, Neymar.

Brazil enters the 2026 World Cup as one of the tournament favourites, blending experienced stars like Neymar, Casemiro, and Marquinhos with a new generation of talents such as Vinícius Júnior, Endrick, and Rayan.

Here is Brazil’s group stage schedule for the 2026 World Cup (Western Indonesian Time/WIB):

Sunday, 14 June 2026: Brazil vs Morocco (05:00 WIB)

Saturday, 20 June 2026: Brazil vs Haiti (07:30 WIB)

Thursday, 25 June 2026: Scotland vs Brazil (05:00 WIB)

Brazil is placed in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. If they qualify as group winners or runners-up, Carlo Ancelotti’s team will advance to the Round of 32.

Knockout Stage Schedule (if qualified):

Round of 32: 28 June–3 July 2026

Round of 16: 4–7 July 2026

Quarter-finals: 9–11 July 2026

Semi-finals: 14–15 July 2026

Final: 19 July 2026

Brazil’s knockout stage fixtures will be determined after their final position in Group C is confirmed.