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

Graham Ruthven

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

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.

MORE WORLD CUP 2022:
Full draw results | TV schedule | Latest news

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

Team PTS GP W L D GF GA GD
G1: Brazil 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
G2: Serbia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
G3: Switzerland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
G4: Cameroon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Group G match schedule

Date Match Time (ET) Stadium
Thurs, Nov. 24 Switzerland vs. Cameroon 5 a.m. Al Janoub Stadium
Thurs, Nov. 24 Brazil vs. Serbia 2 p.m. Lusail Stadium
Mon, Nov. 28 Cameroon vs. Serbia 5 a.m. Al Janoub Stadium
Mon, Nov. 28 Brazil vs. Switzerland 11 a.m. Stadium 974
Fri, Dec. 2 Cameroon vs. Brazil 2 p.m. Lusail Stadium
Fri, Dec. 2 Serbia vs. Switzerland 2 p.m. Stadium 974

Brazil all-time World Cup groups

Year Grp 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place
2018 E Brazil Switzerland  Serbia Costa Rica
2014 A Brazil Mexico Croatia  Cameroon
2010 G Brazil  Portugal Ivory Coast  North Korea
2006 F Brazil Australia Croatia  Japan 
2002 C Brazil Turkey Costa Rica China
1998 A Brazil  Norway  Morocco Scotland 
1994 B Brazil Sweden Russia  Cameroon 
1990 C Brazil  Costa Rica Scotland Sweden
1986 D Brazil Spain  N. Ireland Algeria
1982 6 Brazil Soviet Union Scotland New Zealand
1978 2 Austria Brazil Spain Sweden
1974 2 Yugoslavia Brazil Scotland Zaire
1970 3 Brazil England Romania Czechoslovakia
1966 3 Portugal Hungary Brazil  Bulgaria 
1962 3 Brazil Czechoslovakia Mexico Spain
1958 4 Brazil Soviet Union England Austria
1954 1 Brazil Yugoslavia France  Mexico
1950 1 Brazil Yugoslavia Switzerland Mexico

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

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.

Name

Position

Age

Club

Caps/Goals

Alisson Goalkeeper

29

Liverpool

53/0

Allan

Midfielder

31

Everton

10/0

Dani Alves

Full back

38

Barcelona

121/8

Antony

Winger

22

Ajax

8/2

Guilherme Arana

Defender

24

Atletico Mineiro

2/0

Gabriel Barbosa

Forward

25

Flamengo

18/5

Rodrigo Caio

Defender

28

Flamengo

5/0

Casemiro

Midfielder

30

Real Madrid

61/5

Philippe Coutinho

Midfielder

29

Aston Villa

66/20

Matheus Cunha

Forward

22

Atletico Madrid

6/0

Danilo

Full back

30

Juventus

45/1

Edenilson

Midfielder

32

Internacional

2/0

Ederson

Goalkeeper

28

Manchester City

18/0

Emerson

Full back

23

Tottenham Hotspur

7/0

Fabinho

Midfielder

28

Liverpool

24/0

Felipe

Defender

32

Atletico Madrid

2/0

Roberto Firmino

Forward

30

Liverpool

55/17

Fred

Midfielder

29

Manchester United

25/0

Gerson

Midfielder

24

Marseille

4/0

Bruno Guimaraes

Midfielder

24

Newcastle United

5/0

Hulk

Winger

35

Atletico Mineiro

49/11

Gabriel Jesus

Forward

24

Manchester City

54/18

Vinicius Junior

Winger

21

Real Madrid

12/1

Renan Lodi

Full back

23

Atletico Madrid

15/0

Douglas Luiz

Midfielder

23

Aston Villa

9/0

Marquinhos

Defender

27

PSG

66/4

Gabriel Martinelli

Forward

20

Arsenal

1/0

Arthur Melo

Midfielder

25

Juventus

21/1

Eder Militao

Defender

24

Real Madrid

20/1

Neymar

Forward

30

PSG

117/71

Lucas Paqueta

Forward

24

Lyon

30/6

Pedro

Forward

24

Flamengo

1/0

Raphinha

Winger

25

Leeds United

7/3

Everton Ribeiro

Midfielder

32

Flamengo

20/3

Richarlison

Forward

24

Everton

33/11

Rodrygo

Winger

21

Real Madrid

4/1

Alex Sandro

Full back

31

Juventus

36/2

Thiago Silva

Defender

37

Chelsea

105/7

Everton Soares

Forward

26

Benfica

25/3

Alex Telles

Full back

29

Manchester United

5/0

Lucas Verissimo

Defender

26

Benfica

2/0

Weverton

Goalkeeper

34

Palmeiras

7/0

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.

Date

Opponent

H/A

Result

Score

October 9, 2020

Bolivia

H

W

5-0

October 13, 2020

Peru

A

W

2-4

November 13, 2020

Venezuela

H

W

1-0

November 17, 2020

Uruguay

A

W

0-2

June 2, 2021

Ecuador

H

W

2-0

June 8, 2021

Paraguay

A

W

0-2

September 2, 2021

Chile

A

W

0-1

September 9, 2021

Peru

H

W

2-0

October 7, 2021

Venezuela

A

W

1-3

October 20, 2021

Colombia

A

D

0-0

October 14, 2021

Uruguay

H

W

4-1

November 11, 2021

Colombia

H

W

1-0

November 16, 2021

Argentina

A

D

0-0

January 27, 2022

Ecuador

A

D

1-1

February 1, 2022

Paraguay

H

W

4-0

March 24, 2022

Chile

H

W

4-0

March 29, 2022

Bolivia

A

W

4-0

 

Argentina

H

 

 

Brazil World Cup Qualifying leaders

Category

Leader

Total

Goals

Neymar

8

Assists

Neymar

8

Appearances

Danilo, Marquinhos, Lucas Paqueta

13

Minutes

Danilo

1,128

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

Year

Stage Reached

Eliminated By

W-L-D

1930

Semifinals (3rd)

Argentina

2-1-0

1934

Round of 16

Italy

0-1-0

1950

Group Stage

N/A

1-2-0

1954

Quarterfinals

Hungary 1-1-1
1958

Champions

N/A 5-0-1
1962

Champions

N/A 5-0-1
1966

Group Stage

Portugal, Hungary 1-2-0
1970

Champions

N/A 6-0-0
1974

2nd Grp Stage

Netherlands 3-2-2
1978

2nd Grp Stage

N/A 4-0-3
1982

2nd Grp Stage

Italy 4-1-0
1986

Quarterfinals

France 4-0-1

1990

Group Stage

N/A

0-3-0

1994*

Round of 16

Brazil

1-2-1

1998

Group Stage

N/A

0-3-0

2002

Quarterfinals

Germany

2-2-1

2006

Group Stage

N/A

0-2-1

2010

Round of 16

Ghana

1-1-2

2014

Round of 16

Belgium

1-2-1

Graham Ruthven