by Aimee Reynolds (7/7/23)
Above: Brazil celebrate their qualification. Photo: Luisa Gonzalez.
The Brazil national women’s team is one of the strongest teams in the world, ranked ninth overall. Pia Sundhage’s side has some of the most skillful players in the world which could lead to big things for this July and August.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Camila Rodrigues (Santos), Bárbara (CR Flamengo), Letícia Izidoro (Corinthians).
Defenders: Antônia (Levante), Kathellen (Real Madrid), Rafaelle (Arsenal), Tamires (Corinthians), Monica (Madrid CFF), Bruninha (NJ/NY Gotham FC).
Midfielders: Duda Sampaio (Corinthians), Ana Vitória (Benfica), Adriana (Orlando Pride), Luana (Corinthians), Ary Borges (Racing Louisville), Kerolin (North Carolina Courage).
Forwards: Marta (Orlando Pride), Nycole Raysla (Benfica), Debinha (Kansas City Current), Andressa Alves (Roma), Bia Zaneratto (Palmeiras), Geyse (Barcelona), Gabi Nunes (Madrid CFF).
Head Coach
Pia Sundhage took over as Brazil’s manager in 2019 after coaching the United States from 2007-2012, Sweden from 2012-2017, and Sweden’s U17 from 2018-2019. Her stewardship of the USA saw them win two Olympic gold medals, and finish as runners-up at the World Cup. During her time coaching Sweden, Olympic gold was won in 2016.
The Swede has continued her haul of success with the South Americans, leading the team to win the Copa America in 2022 (1-0 win against hosts Columbia) which enabled them to qualify for the Finalissima against European champions England – a match that the Lionesses won on penalties. Overall Pia Sundhage has coaching credentials of the highest order and will now be aiming to bring some silverware back from the World Cup this year.
World Cup history
Brazil have qualified for all nine World Cups. The closest they have ever got to winning was in 2007 when they reached the Final before going down 2-0 to Germany in front of 31,000 fans. This was one of the three occasions that they made it out of the group stages. Last time round in France, the South Americans went out in the round of 16.
How they qualified
Sundage’s Brazilian side qualified by reaching the final of Copa America Femenina. Brazil won against Colombia 1-0 in the final. Their goal came in the 39th minute when Colombia gave away a penalty which Debinha scored.
Strengths
This team is full head-to-toe of fantastic players playing at the top level. They will be coming off the back of a very successful summer last year winning the Copa America and the start of this year putting in a strong performance in the Finalissima at Wembley which will have given the players a massive confidence boost for the World Cup this summer.
Development areas
Despite a strong summer last year, this year they came third in the She Believes Cup, only winning one game against Japan. However, with some new players in the squad, they will get out of the group stages.
Key players
Marta is one of the best players of all time, andstill going strong at the age of 37. Named as FIFA’s best female player five years in a row, she is her country’s all-time record scorer with 115 goals. She is also the only player – male or female – to have scored at five World Cups. Don’t bet against her making it six this year.
Rafaelle Souza. Brazil’s captain and a key part of Arsenal’s side in the WSL. She has also played in China and America.
One to watch
Kerolin. A forward who plays for North Carolina Courage in the NWSL. The 23-year-old made her debut for the national side in 2018 – the same year she was awarded the breakout female player in the Brasileirão by Brazil’s football federation, having scored 14 goals in 35 games for Ponte Preta.
Success would be
A place in the quarter-finals
Prediction
Defeat in the last 16 after coming second in their group.
Group F Fixtures
24th July – Panama, Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide.
29th July – France, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
2nd August – Jamaica, AAMI Park, Melbourne.
This is Aimee Reynolds’ debut article for Impetus. To read Aimee’s writers’ bio and those belonging to all our contributors, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/about-our-contributors/
To read the other World Cup nation previews published so far, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/international-football/
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
impetusfootball.org 