Brazil’s Routes to the World Cup Final

Who could Brazil face en route to the World Cup final? We’ve mapped out their avenues to glory, whether the South American giant wins their group or not.

Brazil 14/1 are among the heavy favourites when reviewing this year’s World Cup winner odds, and as the excitement for the 2026 World Cup heats up, many eyes are on A Seleção’s possible World Cup route to the final.

But as they aim to extend their record and win a sixth World Cup, who are Brazil expected to face along the way? In this article, we’ve detailed Brazil’s World Cup route and dates we can expect them to play each round – whether they win their group or qualify for the knockouts as a runner-up.

Alternatively, if you’re ready to bet on Brazil’s games, explore the latest World Cup betting odds.

Brazil’s odds of progressing through each round

Before we dive into Brazil’s route to the World Cup final, let’s take a look at what odds they’re given of reaching each round (at the minimum).

Round	Odds of reaching the round
Round of 16	2/5
Quarter final	5/4
Semi final	3/1
Final	11/2

Who do Brazil play in the group phase?

Brazil would certainly like to think their World Cup group stage opponents are beatable, with Morocco likely offering the biggest test among the three – though Scotland and Haiti will want to prove themselves against the best. That said, Brazil are favourites to top the group.

Brazil’s route to the final should they win their group

So, what about life beyond the group stage? Who can we expect Brazil to line up against at the knockout stage on their route to the World Cup final?

Round	Potential opponent
Round of 32	Japan
Round of 16	Norway
Quarter final	England
Semi final	Argentina
Final	Spain

Round of 32

June 29th vs Japan

If Brazil can dispatch group C, and top the table, they’ll face the second-best side from group F – one of the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, or Tunisia – likely one of Japan or Sweden (the former just edged it) with the Netherlands odds-on to top the group.

Round of 16

July 5th vs Norway

Should Brazil breeze their way through the round of 32, their opponent at the round of 16 stage will be the winner of the game between the runner up in groups E and I. Based on the latest odds, we can anticipate the match up to pit Ecuador vs Norway, with Haaland and co. expected to triumph and earn a battle with Brazil. While Norway will be no pushovers, Brazil will hope the game is a formality, with tougher foes to face later on in the tournament… 

Quarter final

July 11th vs England

Next up, we’re at the business end of the tournament. In the quarter final, the quality really ramps up, with Brazil’s most likely opponents set to be 1966 victors England, hoping for a first World Cup title in 60 years. See England’s possible routes to the World Cup final, to see how the Three Lions might reach this stage and beyond.

Semi final

July 15th vs Argentina

At the semi final stage, should Brazil progress, the South Americans should expect to face a continental old rival in Argentina (incidentally, explore Argentina’s possible routes to the World Cup final). Head-to-head, these two teams have been exceptionally even over the years, with each winning around 45 apiece, though recent fortunes have favoured Argentina, who are unbeaten in five against Brazil. So beating Lionel Messi and co. to reach the World Cup final would be extremely welcome.

If the current holders don’t make it through to the final four, though, Brazil could instead come up against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

World Cup final

July 19th vs Spain

So, Brazil have topped their group and muscled their way through each knockout round so far. Who are they likely to face in the final, 90 minutes from glory and an astonishing sixth World Cup crown?

Well, if Brazil are going to win the World Cup, they’re going to have to beat a Spain side buoyed by 2024 Euros success and hoping to win back-to-back international tournaments. Interested to see how the Spaniards might get to this point? See Spain’s possible routes to the World Cup final.

If not Spain, Brazil could come up against the likes of Germany, France, or Belgium instead.

Brazil’s route to the final should they not win their group

Of course, nothing’s ever guaranteed in football, so it’s useful to also consider Brazil’s potential opponents on their route to the final, in the unlikely event they don’t win their group.

Round	Potential opponent
Round of 32	Netherlands
Round of 16	Czechia/Bosnia and Herzegovina
Quarter final	France
Semi final	Spain
Final	England

Round of 32

29th June vs Netherlands

If Brazil don’t manage to top group C – instead finishing second – they’ll be matched against the top place side from group F – expected to be the Netherlands. Should Brazil finish third in group C, they’ll play the winner of group A, E, or I – which could mean an early tournament clash with Mexico, Germany, or France. They’d certainly be hoping for the former!

Round of 16

July 4th vs Czechia/Bosnia and Herzegovina

In the event Brazil place second in group C, they’ll likely be drawn against Czechia or Bosnia and Herzegovina at the round of 16 stage. Both are relatively evenly matched, so it’s a coin toss as to who it’d be. Brazil would definitely take one of these two to earn a quarter final spot!

Quarter final

July 9th vs France

This is where it really starts to get tough. In the quarter finals, if Brazil finish runner up in their group, their likeliest opponents will be Germany or France; with the odds favouring the French over their European neighbours (see France’s possible routes to the World Cup final, to see if you agree!).

If Brazil hit this point after a third-place finish in the group, they’ll perhaps play the Netherlands; or the top-placed team from their own group, giving them a shot at redemption.

Semi final

July 14th vs Spain

If the stars align, a clash with Spain could await Brazil in the semi final, should they place second in their group. The Euro 2024 winners will have to beat Belgium in the quarters, though.

World Cup final

July 19th vs England

If Brazil manage to overcome the disappointment of finishing second in their group and pass through each obstacle on the way to the final, expect them to face the Three Lions. If they finish third, it’ll likely be the same story!

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