After 24 years without a World Cup title, why does Brazil still dream of winning the tournament?

A generation of Brazilian fans grew up without ever seeing their national team win the World Cup, but their belief in a sixth World Cup trophy has never faded.

The Brazilian national team enters the 2026 World Cup with high expectations.

In 2002, Ronaldo Nazario scored a brace against Germany in the World Cup final in Yokohama, Japan. That was Brazil's fifth World Cup victory and also the last time the Brazilians experienced the feeling of being champions.

At the time, not many people thought it would take more than two decades to wait again.

The 2026 World Cup marks 24 years since Brazil's last victory. That's a long enough time for a generation of fans to grow up without ever seeing their national team lift the World Cup trophy. Those born after 2002 are now in their twenties. In their memories, Brazil has always been considered a favorite, but never actually became champion.

That's an interesting paradox of world football.

Brazil is the most successful team in World Cup history with five titles. No other nation boasts more stars on their jerseys. Yet, this same team is currently experiencing the longest wait since entering its era of success.

The team lives with the pressure of history.

Very few national teams have such a special relationship with the World Cup as Brazil.

For many countries, the World Cup is simply the biggest football tournament on the planet. For Brazilians, it is also a part of their national identity. Their championships in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002 not only established the Selecao's position on the world football map but also contributed to building national pride.

Therefore, every World Cup carries enormous expectations.

While many teams enter the tournament aiming to go deep or pull off a surprise, the Brazilians have almost only one goal: to win. That's a pressure not many teams face.

That very glorious history makes the defeat even more painful.

Brazilians have never forgotten their defeat to Uruguay at the 1950 World Cup at the Maracana. Nor can they forget the humiliating 1-7 loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-final. Those two matches are still remembered as the biggest scars in the history of Brazilian football.

Carlo Ancelotti faced immense pressure to lead Brazil to victory in the World Cup.

After winning the 2002 World Cup, Brazil entered five consecutive tournaments as a top contender. They boasted generations of talented players such as Ronaldinho, Kaka, Adriano, Neymar, and Vinicius Junior. However, none of them could bring the Selecao back to their former glory.

There were times when it was argued that Brazil had lost its identity. At other times, public opinion criticized the coaches for being too pragmatic. Many believed that Brazilian football was falling behind Europe.

But despite the controversies, one thing has never changed: Brazil's standing in the eyes of the world. Every time the World Cup begins, they are still considered a contender for the title. Not because of history. Nor entirely because of the quality of their squad. Simply because Brazil always gives the feeling that they can achieve something special at any time.

The "Hexa" dream never disappeared.

In Brazil, as the World Cup approaches, fans often mention the phrase "Rumo ao Hexa," which means "Towards the sixth World Cup title."

That slogan emerged from the 2006 World Cup and has continued to accompany the Brazilians for almost two decades. Despite repeated failures, they have never given up on that dream. That's what makes Brazilian football different.

Brazilians can be very critical of their national team after every defeat. They may argue about tactics, the coach, or the players' performance. But when the World Cup comes around, all doubts seem to be put aside.

The streets were once again covered in yellow and green. Brazilian flags appeared on windows, balconies, and in cafes. Even those who claimed to no longer care about football gathered with friends to watch the team play.

Neymar is no longer young, but he is still expected to do well.

The World Cup has always held a special power in this country. It temporarily erases differences in opinion, social status, or politics . For a few short weeks, over 200 million people turn their attention to one team and a shared dream.

That explains why Brazilians still hold out hope ahead of the 2026 World Cup, even though the current team isn't as highly regarded as the generations that once featured Pele, Ronaldo, or Ronaldinho.

They understand that Carlo Ancelotti's team isn't perfect. They understand that the recent World Cup qualifiers weren't particularly convincing. They also know that the gap between Brazil and the rest of the world isn't as big as it used to be.

But belief is never built entirely on logic. That's why the phrase "Rumo ao Hexa" still appears all over the country whenever the World Cup approaches.

After a 24-year wait, Brazil has yet to reclaim the World Cup trophy. However, if there's one thing football history has proven time and again, it's that you shouldn't underestimate the belief of the Brazilian people when the World Cup begins.

For them, the World Cup is more than just a tournament. It's a 24-year promise to win their sixth World Cup trophy.

Source: https://znews.vn/24-nam-chua-vo-dich-vi-sao-brazil-van-mo-world-cup-post1656506.html