Overview
- Vinícius Júnior, who spoke Wednesday in the United States before a friendly with France, said Brazil are not favorites for the 2026 World Cup.
- He pointed to the fifth-place finish in South American qualifying, Brazil's worst on record, as the reason to lower outside expectations.
- He said the squad wants calm and patience and that he would rather do his job than chase the tournament's scoring title.
- He stressed that the goal stays the same, with players set on doing everything possible to win a sixth world crown.
- He praised new coach Carlo Ancelotti as a good fit who reads the game and leans into Brazil's attacking depth, naming Raphinha, João Pedro, Matheus Cunha, Casemiro, Endrick and Estêvão.