Which team in world football has been the most disappointing since the turn of the millennium?
The answer, perhaps, is Brazil.
In the past 20 years, there have indeed been many bad teams, but what kind of team is Brazil? The former king of the World Cup, the team that has won the most championships, is the kingdom of football. Therefore, everyone's requirements for them, of course, are higher, and they can't be compared with those bad teams. The greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment. For Brazil, the World Cup is a failure if it does not win. So, after '02, they have been failing for more than twenty years.
Regarding Brazil's more than 20 years of World Cup journey, relevant jokes and stalks are of course indispensable. The most obvious thing is that since winning the championship in 02, the quarterfinals seem to have become a bottleneck for Brazil in the World Cup. Of course, Brazil reached the semi-finals at home in the 2014 World Cup. But because the 7:1 was too conspicuous, the results of the semi-finals were unbearable to mention. Overall, in the past two decades, Brazil's exit from the quarterfinals is indeed its main theme in the World Cup.
However, if you focus too much on Brazil's performance in the quarter-finals, you may miss some of the more subtle details. In fact, from '02 onwards, Brazil has had a statistic at the World Cup, which is generally on a downward trend. In other words, from 02 to 22, this data cannot be said to have declined year by year, but at least it has decreased little by little.
Let's start with the '02 World Cup. Brazil's performance in that World Cup was very strong, with three consecutive wins in the group stage, and obviously, Turkey, Costa Rica, and China were not enough for Brazil to play. Therefore, taking all 9 points in the group stage is a regular operation for Brazil.
In the 06 World Cup, although Brazil's form declined, there will be no trouble in the group stage after all. This time their opponents are slightly stronger than last time, but Croatia, Japan, and Australia are obviously not going to let Brazil drop points either.
Okay, everybody remember this data, 9. This data is Brazil's group stage points in the two World Cups in 02 and 06.
Looking further back, at the 2010 World Cup, Brazil finally dropped points in the group stage, and although they beat North Korea and Ivory Coast, they faced Portugal in a 0-0 draw. This time, Brazil's group points are 7 points.
In the 2014 World Cup, although Brazil's strength declined seriously, it was better to play at home, and the advantage in the group stage should also be great. They beat Croatia and Cameroon, but faced Mexico in another helpless 0-0 game. Interestingly, at the time, the media actually emphasized that Mexico was Brazil's nemesis. It is true that in other competitions, Mexico has beaten Brazil many times, but Brazil is playing at home and cannot win against Mexico, which is indeed a bit of an overstatement. Moreover, Mexico was not at its peak at that time.
Yes, this time, it's 7 again.
Look back at the 2018 World Cup. In this World Cup, Brazil's strength has increased, but they were still forced to draw by Switzerland in the group stage. It's still 7 points.
For three consecutive World Cups, Brazil has 7 points in the group stage. It seems to be quite stable. But pay attention, the node is coming soon - in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, Brazil actually lost.
In the 2022 World Cup, Brazil is the first favorite before the game. They bring nine strikers, which is indeed a bit bluffing. But in fact, in the three group games, they only scored three goals. In the last game, Brazil began to release the water and sent substitutes to fight, and they lost 0:1 to Cameroon. In this way, Brazil won three group games and only scored 6 points.
Six points is a good group point for many teams. But for Brazil, it's a bit of a shame. In particular, it is even more embarrassing if we list this data since '02 - 9, 9, 7, 7, 7, 6. Is it on a downward trend?
It really can't be lower, and if it does, Brazil may be out of the group for the second time. In the 2026 World Cup, Brazil must make a change, whether it can break through the quarterfinals or not, let's start with the group stage. Let's win three in a row and let the world see the spirit of five-star Brazil.
However, let's pour cold water on it first - Brazil's ranking in the World Preliminary Tournament is very unsatisfactory now, and if it were not for the expansion of the army and the increase in places, this result would have lasted until the end, and Brazil would not even be able to keep the World Cup full attendance award.