Casemiro admits troubled spell, but sees Brazil ‘strong’ for World Cup

Brazil bounced back from the loss to France and defeated Croatia 3-1 this Tuesday in a World Cup warm-up friendly played in Orlando, United States. Team captain Casemiro spoke about the turbulent cycle and sees the team as “strong” heading into the World Cup .

“We played against national teams that are at a more advanced stage [France and Croatia]. The cycle was a bit difficult, with many changes on all sides, but we will arrive strong. We know we need to improve many things, but we’re going to give everything at the World Cup ,” the player told SporTV .

Casemiro recalled that Brazil came into the last two World Cups “solid,” but did not win the title. He said he understands the criticism, but asked for the national team to be protected and said the most important thing is to be in good shape between June and July, when the World Cup will take place.

“In the last two World Cups, we arrived very solid, very confident. I was talking with Luka [Modric], and he told us that we are strong, that we need to trust ourselves. It’s important to arrive well, but the most important period is from June to July. Argentina started badly in the last World Cup and ended up becoming champions. The most important thing is to arrive at the World Cup in good shape with all the players,” he said.

“The demands on the Brazilian national team are very high. Everyone can have an opinion, but we have to shield this team; we have many young players. The national team always has to play to win, but we need to stay together. The work is being done well. We have to be realistic: the cycle was difficult, with many difficulties on and off the pitch, changes, but we have to come together at the right moment and arrive strong at the World Cup ,” he concluded.

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This was the Brazilian national team’s last test before coach Carlo Ancelotti announces the final squad for the 2026 World Cup . The list will be released on May 18, less than 50 days from now. On May 25, the group will begin preparations for the World Cup at Granja Comary, in Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro.

The team’s last match on home soil will be on May 31, against Panama, at the Maracanã. The delegation will travel to the United States on June 1 and will have one final test before the start of the World Cup , against Egypt in Cleveland on June 6.

Brazil are in Group C of the World Cup . The group also includes Morocco, Haiti and Scotland.

Brazil’s debut will be on June 13, against Morocco, in New Jersey. Six days later, on June 19, the team will face Haiti in Philadelphia. The Seleção will close out its group-stage campaign on June 24, against Scotland, in Miami.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.