Alisson insists any doubts about Brazil’s ability to perform at the World Cup will only work in their favour, as they prepare to get their campaign underway against Morocco.
The five-time champions come into the tournament as the sixth favourites to triumph, according to the Opta supercomputer, with a 6.6% chance of lifting the trophy.
Spain (16.1%), France (13%), England (11.2%), Argentina (10.4%) and Portugal (7%) are all given higher chances than Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Brazil are the only team to have taken part in all 23 editions of the World Cup since its inception in 1930.
They have won the competition more often than any other team and have the best win rate in the tournament’s history (67% – 76 wins in 114 matches).
However, Brazil have not won the World Cup since 2002. Though they have reached the quarter-finals at each of the last five tournaments, only once have they gone beyond that stage – finishing fourth in 2014 as hosts following a humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany.
But Alisson is unfazed by any questions being asked of Brazil, given they were not labelled as leading contenders the last time they won FIFA’s flagship trophy.
“It is a good thing that there are some doubts about the team, because that has been the case on other occasions in the past,” Alisson pointed out.
“The current team has different characteristics compared to past sides. That last period was very difficult for all the players, for various reasons.
“The most important thing is how we feel now, and we hope that translates into us getting a good result against Morocco.”
O dia foi de preparação completa, com atividades na academia e no campo, mantendo o foco total na estreia da Copa do Mundo.
A contagem regressiva continua: no próximo sábado (13), começa a nossa caminhada. Seguimos juntos, treinando forte e representando o Brasil com dedicação e… pic.twitter.com/9euZDnAk7r
— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) June 9, 2026
Brazil have topped their first-round group at every edition of the World Cup since 1982.
They are also unbeaten in their last 20 opening matches (W17 D3) – their last defeat in an opener came in 1934, against Spain (1-3).
However, it is in the latter stages against European teams where they have struggled of late – they were knocked out by Belgium in 2018 before being beaten on penalties by Croatia in Qatar.
“On what happened in the past, I think in football you can’t afford to spend time wallowing,” Alisson added.
“Since Ancelotti came in, the atmosphere has been transformed. He has such a strong presence and doesn’t focus on controversial issues.”
Brazil’s opener against Morocco takes place on Saturday, with Haiti versus Scotland to come after that in Group C.
