Brazil plays Switzerland for World Cup debut

The Brazilian National Team plays its first match of the World Cup 2018 this Sunday (17 June). The Canarinho will face Switzerland in Rostov (Russia) at 3:00 p.m. BST, and fans are expected to attend en masse to support our players: according to the International Football Federation (FIFA), Brazilians were the third largest buyers of tickets for the competition.

Squad

Brazil’s starting XI for the match are Alisson (Goalkeeper); Danilo, Thiago Silva, Miranda and Marcelo (Defenders); Casemiro, Paulinho, Philippe Coutinho and Willian (Midfielders); and Neymar and Gabriel Jesus (Forwards).

Preparation

The Brazilian national team has won all friendlies in preparation for the competition, and arrives at Sochi (its base city for the World Cup) among the favorites to win the title. In the last training session before departing to face the Swiss, coach Tite worked on the so-called “invisible training”, in which athletes simulate the moves that will be performed during the matches themselves.

World Cup mainstay

Brazil is the only team that has participated in all 20 editions of the World Cup, and is now seeking its sixth title.

Impressive roster

Brazil’s current and former players, in addition to representing some of the greatest talent in football history, also feature some of the World Cup’s top overall scorers. Ronaldo scored 15 goals in four World Cups and is Brazil’s top scorer in the competition, followed by Pelé, one of the world’s most celebrated Brazilian players, who also played four editions and scored 12 goals.