The Brazilian team considers it a priority to complete the group stage of the World Cup in first place in group C. This strategy is not linked to an expectation of easier opponents in the knockout stages.
Securing the leadership of group C would bring Brazil important advantages, such as simplified travel logistics for the decisive phases. The team would remain with its operational base in New Jersey, enjoying an extended period for training sessions and for the physical recovery of the players before the round of 16 and quarter-final clashes.
Remaining in the lead, the Brazilian team will be able to use the facilities at CT Columbia Park continuously until the end of the tournament. Currently, the team is ahead of Morocco in the group based on goal difference.
Since arriving in the United States three weeks ago, the New York Red Bulls complex, modern and recently opened, has been the place of concentration for the Brazilian delegation. Maintaining leadership would also allow the group to remain in the same hotel, which underwent several modifications by the CBF to provide better service to players and the technical team.
However, a possible classification in second place would imply leaving the team’s current base, with the inclusion of a trip to Mexico. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) assesses that, in this scenario, it would not be practical to return to New Jersey after each match. Thus, the National Team would adopt an itinerant model, carrying out training and accommodation in the cities of the games themselves.
The grand final of the World Cup is scheduled for July 19, at the stadium located in New York/New Jersey.
Planned trajectory for selection in case of group leadership
- Second phase: June 29, in Houston
- Round of 16: July 5, in New Jersey
- Quarterfinals: July 11, in Miami
- Semifinal: July 15, in Atlanta
Expected route if Brazil advances in second place
- Second phase: June 29, in Monterrey
- Round of 16: July 4th, in Houston
- Quarterfinals: July 9, in Boston
- Semifinal: July 14, in Dallas
If the team reaches the final of the competition, the total number of days dedicated to rest and preparation will be identical in both paths: 20 days. However, the way this period is distributed differs. Ranking first ensures a longer break (six days) before the round of 16 and quarterfinals, but a shortened break (four days) before the semifinals and final. The second position results in a constant period of five days between each of the phases.
Midfielder Lucas Paquetá reinforced the importance of first place, stating that the team is focused on this objective. “Our goal is to come first, we are working towards that. It’s a logistics that favors travel, rest time and recovery. It’s our goal and we’re going after it”, declared the player.
There is no way to determine the Seleção’s route in advance if it ranks third in the group, since such a scenario would depend on the results of other tournament brackets.
Anticipating the various possible outcomes, the CBF sent, months ago, a specialized team to all the cities where the Seleção could play. The delegation included logistics, physiology professionals and even a chef, with the purpose of inspecting the available facilities and the particularities of each location, preventing potential unforeseen events.
Rodrigo Caetano, director of Brazil’s men’s teams, reiterated the focus on leading the group: “We are going in pursuit of what was the objective since our first match, due to countless advantages that we imagine we will have in the next phase, not in relation to the opponent, but in terms of logistics”, he stated.
Caetano also mentioned the existence of alternative plans: “We have plan B and C. We made it clear from the beginning that our intention is for plan A to be confirmed, but it will depend on the last round. First of all we have to qualify well, play another good game, win and wait for the result of our opponent”, added the director.
Currently, Brazil and Morocco are tied with four points in the group. Scotland has three points, and Haiti, with no points, is already disqualified. In this way, the final position of group C can be determined by tiebreaker criteria, such as direct confrontation, goal difference, number of goals scored and accumulated cards.
The Brazilian team will take the field against Scotland next Wednesday, at 7pm (Brasília time), in the city of Miami. At the same time, Morocco and Haiti will play their match at the same time, in Atlanta.