Vinicius Junior: Brazil hasn't earned right to be World Cup favorites

Vinicius Junior said Brazil has not earned the right to be considered favorites to win the 2026 World Cup, and that the team does not want that tag.

Brazil has won a record five World Cups, but none since 2002. In the span since, Brazil has not finished better than fourth in 2014 and finished a disappointing fifth during 2026 qualifying.

"We are not the favorites based on the results we've had," the Real Madrid forward said before Brazil's friendly against France on Thursday. "We want to arrive at the World Cup the same way we're approaching the friendlies -- calm, patient and focused on what we've been working on."

Italian Carlo Ancelotti took over as Brazil's manager in May 2025, and the team went on to win two matches during qualifying while suffering a loss to Japan and playing Tunisia to a draw.

Vinicius, who has eight goals in 45 appearances for Brazil's national team, played for Ancelotti at Madrid. The 25-year-old is confident the manager can take "a lot of pressure off us."

"But the weight of the shirt, the quality of the players we have here ... We're going to do everything to put Brazil on top again," Vinicius added. "We don't want to be favorites, we want to put Brazil on top."

Brazil begins its 2026 World Cup with a match against Morocco on June 13 and will also play Scotland and Haiti in Group C.

Brazil has the fourth-shortest odds at +800 by BetMGM to win the World Cup. That is equal to defending champion Argentina and behind Spain (+400), England (+550) and France (+700).

--Field Level Media