Getty Neymar and Brazil are once again favorites to win the World Cup
Brazil has one of the most talented roster in the World Cup. All things start with Neymar, who had his World Cup dreams cut short in 2014 with an injury. Brazil is looking for redemption after being embarrassed by Germany 7-1 on their home turf in the 2014 World Cup.
New Brazil coach Tite appears to have turned the national team around, and back to a contender for 2018. Tite spoke with the Star Tribune about his philosophy and the transformation of the program.
“There is a lot of pressure when we play because the world of football is looking at us,” Tite explained to the Star Tribune. “But I am happy with the way we’ve been performing. We’ve been building up for a long time and it’s gone well. That gives us some feeling of peace…I don’t think about that. And not everyone (in Brazil) likes me. There are people who don’t like my decisions or me personally. And there are some people I don’t like, too.”
Brazil is a team known for players with one name, and 2018 is no different with the likes of Neymar, Marcello, Allison and Fred just to name a few. What Neymar is to the offense, Marcello is on defense as he is one of the premier defenders in the world. Brazil has the luxury of two top goalkeepers in Allison along with backup Ederson Moraes who plays for Manchester City.
Brazil has the most World Cup wins of any country with five, but has not won since the 2002 World Cup. According to OddsShark, Brazil entered the tournament as the favorite to win their sixth World Cup at +450. Marcelo spoke with Goal.com about his approach on the field.
“It’s something I like about leadership, I feel I can transmit it to the group,” Marcelo told Goal.com. “Everybody contributes to the group. I’m 30 years old and everything you go through in football, you take something from it. Way back as a child playing football on the beach, you dream of being a player representing your national team on the big stage – and now I get to be the captain. It’s something money can’t buy.”
Here’s a look at the 2018 Brazil World Cup roster.
Brazil Roster for 2018 World Cup
| NUMBER | POSITION | PLAYER |
| 1 | G | Allison |
| 2 | D | Thiago Silva |
| 3 | D | Miranda |
| 4 | D | Pedro Geromel |
| 5 | M | Casemiro |
| 6 | D | Filipe Luis |
| 7 | F | Douglas Costa |
| 8 | M | Renato Augusto |
| 9 | F | Gabriel Jesus |
| 10 | F | Neymar |
| 11 | M | Philippe Coutinho |
| 12 | D | Marcelo |
| 13 | D | Marquinhos |
| 14 | D | Danilo |
| 15 | M | Paulinho |
| 16 | G | Cassio |
| 17 | M | Fernandinho |
| 18 | M | Fred |
| 19 | M | Willian |
| 20 | F | Roberto Firmino |
| 21 | F | Talson |
| 22 | D | Fagner |
| 23 | G | Ederson Moraes |