Despite being a powerhouse of women's football for decades, Brazil has never won a World Cup.
They came close in 2007 when they finished runners up to Germany, but that remains the only time the South American country has reached the showpiece match of the tournament.
With many European countries now seeing a rapid improvement to their women's football teams, there is a feeling the window for Brazil to achieve World Cup glory is beginning to close, placing more pressure on coach Pia Sundhage to make the right decisions when picking her 23-player squad for the tournament.
The Sporting News analyses the squad powering Brazil in Australia and New Zealand.
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Brazil 2023 Women's World Cup squad
Brazil announced their final 2023 World Cup squad on June 27.
The squad includes the legendary Marta playing in her sixth World Cup, and star striker Debinha. A late change had to be made to the squad with Nycole forced to withdraw due to injury, she was replaced by 23-year-old midfielder Angelina.
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | 1 | Barbara | Flamengo (BRA) | 69 | 0 |
| Goalkeeper | 22 | Camila | Santos (BRA) | 0 | 0 |
| Goalkeeper | 12 | Leticia Izidoro | Corinthians (BRA) | 16 | 0 |
| Defender | 2 | Antonia | Levante (ESP) | 25 | 0 |
| Defender | 13 | Bruninha | Gotham FC (USA) | 8 | 0 |
| Defender | 3 | Kathellen Sousa | Real Madrid (ESP) | 21 | 1 |
| Defender | 14 | Lauren | Madrid CFF (ESP) | 10 | 0 |
| Defender | 19 | Monica | Madrid CFF (BRA) | 42 | 6 |
| Defender | 4 | Rafaelle | Orlando Pride (USA) | 82 | 8 |
| Defender | 6 | Tamires | Corinthians (BRA) | 140 | 7 |
| Midfielder | 11 | Adriana | Orlando Pride (USA) | 43 | 12 |
| Midfielder | 20 | Angelina | OL Reign (USA) | 20 | 1 |
| Midfielder | 17 | Ary Borges | Racing Louisville (USA) | 28 | 5 |
| Midfielder | 15 | Duda Sampaio | Corinthians (BRA) | 32 | 1 |
| Midfielder | 21 | Kerolin | N.C. Courage (USA) | 33 | 5 |
| Midfielder | 5 | Luana | Corinthians (BRA) | 32 | 1 |
| Midfielder | 8 | Ana Vitoria | Benfica (POR) | 14 | 1 |
| Forward | 7 | Andressa Alves | AS Roma (ITA) | 106 | 21 |
| Forward | 16 | Beatriz | Palmeiras (BRA) | 110 | 37 |
| Forward | 9 | Debinha | Kansas City Current (USA) | 134 | 58 |
| Forward | 23 | Gabi Nunes | Madrid CFF (ESP) | 20 | 3 |
| Forward | 18 | Geyse | Barcelona (ESP) | 43 | 6 |
| Forward | 10 | Marta | Orlando Pride (USA) | 175 | 115 |
Brazil stars, strengths and weaknesses
Stars
Whilst Marta clearly is one of the greatest women's footballers of all time and still has the quality to produce in the big moments, Debinha is set to be the team's star attacker and will be crucial in a difficult group involving a battle against France for top spot.
Former Arsenal centre-back Rafaelle is also a crucial cog in the team, having defensive nous as well as the ability to play out from the back and set the tempo for the side from her position in the spine of the team.
Strengths
Despite Brazilian football being known for flair and excitement, the defence of Sundhage's side has been most impressive, with Brazil keeping eight clean sheets in a row in 2022, having only conceded 10 goals in their last 18 matches.
It bodes well for the World Cup, where the big games usually turn into tight affairs decided by moments.
Weaknesses
While Brazil have a strong defence, they are missing first-choice goalkeeper Lorena, who suffered a knee injury in March.
Leticia Izidoro, her likely replacement, is a quality 'keeper, but is relatively inexperienced at World Cup level, and it is unknown how she will fare in high pressure games such as the pivotal France group match.
Brazil lineup at Women's World Cup
Brazil are most likely going to lineup in a 4-4-2 formation they have used consistently under Sundhage.
Possible Brazil starting side (4-4-2, right to left): Izidoro (GK) — Antonia, Kathellen or Lauren, Rafaelle, Tamires — Ary Borges, Kerolin, Luana, Adriana — Geyse, Debinha.
Can Brazil replace players on World Cup roster?
According to the official rules of the World Cup, players on the final squad can only be replaced in the event of a serious illness or injury up to 24 hours before the start of their team's first match.
The injury or illness needs to be assessed and judged by FIFA to be serious enough to prevent the player from taking part in the World Cup.
