The Samba Boys of Brazil are iconic. Every international tournament they enter they are expected to compete to win in. However, the famous yellow and green enter the Copa América Centenario in a tough spot. In a few months their country will play host to the Summer Olympics. Their top player and one of biggest superstars in the soccer world, Neymar, has decided to skip this tournament in favor of playing in the Olympics at home. If that wasn’t a big enough loss, they’ll also be without one of their other dynamic attacking players in Douglas Costa would will miss out due to injury. Brazil will always be Brazil, stacked with international quality talent, but they won’t enter this Copa América as a team that is feared by others like usual.

By the Numbers

World Ranking: 7
Copa America Record: 48W-20D-14L
Best Copa America Finish: 1st in 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004, and 2007
Top Goal Scorer: Kaka (29)

Recent Form:
2-0 W vs. Panama- Friendly
2-2 D at Paraguay – WCQ
2-2 D vs. Uruguary – WCQ
3-0 W vs. Peru – WCQ
1-1 D at Argentina – WCQ

2016 Brazil Home & Away Jerseys

Key Players

Despite not having two of their best attacking players available, Brazil are flush with high quality international players who play in all of the top leagues in the world. A player like Philippe Coutinho who stars for Liverpool on a regular basis will now have a chance to step up and prove himself in Neymar’s absence. The magical playmaker has buckets of ability but has only appeared for Brazil 14 times. Could the Copa América be his chance to get a grasp on starting spot for the future and on into the 2018 World Cup?

Group Stage Schedule

Brazil were drawn into a respectable group with Peru, Haiti, and Ecuador. It will be a challenge, but one that the five-time World Cup champion should pass.

• Saturday, June 4 — Brazil vs. Ecuador, 10:00 p.m. ET — Fox Sports 1
• Wednesday, June 8 — Brazil vs. Haiti, 7:30 p.m. ET — Fox Sports 1
• Sunday, June 12 — Brazil vs. Peru, 8:30 p.m. ET — Fox Sports 1

New York Spot

Manhattan’s West 46th St., otherwise known as Little Brazil, will be the epicenter of support for the Seleção. If you’re in the area, be sure to check out establishments like Ipanema Restaurant and Nino’s 46.

Closing Thoughts

Missing some of their top stars, Brazil won’t be considered one of the few pre-tournament favorites. This doesn’t mean they won’t compete for the trophy. The Seleção have some of the most talented players in the world still and could easily sneak their way into the later stages of the Copa América. Once they get to the knockout stages anything can happen. Don’t be surprised to see them overcoming the doubt and contending along with the likes of Argentina and Colombia.