Brazil World Cup draw 2022: Group G results with Switzerland, matches, fixtures, star players, roster and coach

Brazil are the most successful team in World Cup history and the Selecao are expected to be among the frontrunners to go all the way at the 2022 finals in Qatar.

Tite’s team finished top of CONMEBOL qualifying, going 17 games unbeaten in the campaign. That record alone is enough to illustrate the pedigree and quality Brazil currently boast ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

Despite their track record as five-time World Cup winners, Brazil haven’t won the trophy since 2002. Since then, the Selecao have underwhelmed, with their best performance in the last two decades coming in 2014 when they reached the semi-finals.

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The 2022 edition might be Neymar’s last chance to realize his destiny as a Selecao great — the Paris Saint-Germain forward will be 34 by the 2026 World Cup. Unlike at past World Cup Finals, though, Neymar should have more support in 2022.

But there are also a host of new stars who could use the World Cup stage to become global idols. Vinicius Jr. is enjoying the best season of his career so far with Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha, Roberto Firmino, Antony, Richarlison and Rodrygo giving Tite several options in attack.

Casemiro and Fabinho give Brazil structure in the center of the pitch with Alisson and Ederson two of the best goalkeepers around. Brazil have strength-in-depth all the way through their squad.

MORE: CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings & results

Brazil World Cup draw Group G

Brazil's bid to wrestle the World Cup title back to South America will see them have to negotiate a tricky group, having been paired with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.

The meeting with the Swiss, on Nov. 28, will bring back memories of Russia 2018, where the pair shared a 1-1 draw on the opening matchday.

Serbia represent an intriguing matchup, having qualified ahead of Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo on the way to booking their place in Qatar.

They will be the opposition in the tournament opener for Tite's men, who close out against Africa hopefuls Cameroon, boasting plenty of world-class stars of their own, such as Ajax's Andre Onana.

World Cup Group G table & fixtures

Group G match schedule

Brazil all-time World Cup groups

Brazil World Cup snapshot

Brazil are currently in excellent form with the Selecao unbeaten since losing the Copa America 2021 final to Argentina. Tite’s team went all the way through World Cup qualifying without suffering a single defeat and this strength is reflected in Brazil’s standing at No. 1 in the FIFA rankings.

MORE: Which teams are in the World Cup draw 2022?

• Current FIFA World Ranking: No. 1 (March 2022)
• World Cup titles: 5 (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
• World Cup appearances (last): 21 (Russia 2018)
• How Brazil qualified: CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying winner (1st)
• Record:
  • 2021 W-L-D (Goals Scored/Allowed): 12-1-2 (27 / 5)
  • 2022 W-L-D (Goals Scored/Allowed): 3-0-1 (13 / 1)

Brazil FIFA World Cup 2022 preview

On individual quality, Brazil’s squad will be one of the strongest at the 2022 World Cup. Not only do the Selecao boast experienced operators like Neymar, Casemiro and Roberto Firmino, they have exciting young players like Vinicius Junior and Anthony to build around for the future.

In Alisson Becker and Ederson, Brazil boast two of the best goalkeepers around with both shot-stoppers used in World Cup qualifying. In central defense, Thiago Silva continues to be a key figure for his country with Marquinhos the Chelsea defender’s most frequent centre back partner.

MORE: FIFA World Cup: Which teams have qualified to Qatar 2022? 

Tite has found a good balance since the 2018 World Cup. Indeed, he has youth and experience in the same squad with options in almost every position. If Brazil don’t win in Qatar, it won’t be because they don’t have the quality required.

• Star Players: Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Fabinho
• Players to Watch: Raphinha, Antony, Gabriel Martinelli

12 - Brazil have won all 12 games in the WCQ in which Neymar have scored. Leader. pic.twitter.com/uAjdqhdzdx

— OptaJoao (@OptaJoao) March 25, 2022

Brazil Squad

In the past, there has been some pushback on efforts to give Brazil the structure needed to succeed at the elite level of the modern international game (see Dunga’s tenure in charge), but Tite has made significant progress in this regard over the last few years.

While Brazil boast obvious attacking threat in the final third, they are a good unit in defense too, conceding just five goals in 16 CONMEBOL qualifying fixtures. Tite makes good use of the wide areas and asks his team to play with a strong spine through the middle.

Regular starting XI (formation: 4-2-3-1)

Alisson; Lodi, T. Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo; Fabinho, Fred; Vinicius, Neymar, Raphinha; G. Jesus

Strengths: 

• Depth: Along with England and France, Brazil boast the deepest squad in international soccer right now. Tite will be able to rotate his squad throughout the 2022 World Cup. This could help keep the Selecao fresh.

• Tactical fluidity: Tite has fielded his Brazil team in a number of different shapes and formations over the course of his tenure. Indeed, the Selecao are comfortable playing in a 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-1-3-2 and attack with a back three when in possession.

• Midfield protection: Given the variety of attacking options available to Tite, it would be understandable if his Brazil team was top-heavy. However, the likes of Casemiro, Fabinho and Fred give them balance in central midfield.

Weaknesses: 

• Fullbacks: While Brazil can take some credit for forging the modern role of the full back in soccer (see Dani Alves and Roberto Carlos), they have yet to settle on their first-choices at left and right back for the 2022 World Cup. Positions are still up for grabs.

• Neymar? Neymar’s scoring record (71 goals in 117 caps) speaks for itself, but the 30-year-old’s role in this Brazil team has been the subject of much debate. That uncertainty could be unhelpful in the build-up to the Finals.

Who is Brazil's head coach?

As a coach, Tite is renowned for his flexibility. While the 60-year-old has given Brazil structure, this hasn’t come at the cost of attacking threat and flair, and this is largely down to the fluidity shown by his team in the final third.

Tite has been in charge since 2016 and that has given Brazil a sense of continuity even as the squad has evolved over the last six years. His players have clear roles and responsibilities and unlike some Selecao head coaches of the past, he has full commitment from his squad.

• Manager (Nationality): Tite (Brazil)
• Date hired: June, 20, 1996
• Record as national team manager (W-L-D): 53-5-13
• Major titles since hire: 1 (2019 Copa America)
• Notable victories: Brazil 3-1 Peru (2019 Copa America final), Brazil 2-0 Argentina (2019 Copa America semi-final), Brazil 2-0 Mexico (2018 World Cup Rd of 16)

MORE: Which countries can still qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar?

Brazil World Cup qualifying results

World Cup qualifying in CONMEBOL is a marathon, but Brazil sprinted to secure their place at the 2022 World Cup. Indeed, the Selecao were the first South American team to punch their ticket to Qatar, securing qualification with a 1-0 win over Colombia in November.

Brazil were so impressive in qualifying that they went unbeaten through the whole campaign (pending a makeup match against Argentina). Despite this, the table-toppers were unable to get the better of Argentina in qualifying, with the first match between the two rivals ending in farce and postponement and the second meeting ending in a goalless draw.

Brazil World Cup Qualifying leaders

Brazil FIFA World Cup history

No team has been more successful at the World Cup than Brazil over the long and storied history of the tournament. Indeed, their five championships make them the most successful national team in men’s soccer.

Brazil is a soccer-obsessed country and the World Cup has been their stage to demonstrate their brilliance for a number of decades. However, the Selecao have now gone 20 years without getting their hands on soccer’s most famous trophy.

MORE: Where is World Cup 2022? Exploring the host venue

Recent World Cup campaigns have been defined by disappointment, including in 2014 when Brazil only made the semifinals as the host nation and suffered a humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany to go out. Despite their historic record, Brazil will have a point to prove in Qatar this winter.

• World Cups appearances: 21
• Best finish: Winner (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
• All-time goals scored: 229
• All-time goals conceded: 105
• All-time record (W-L-D): 73-18-18