What is wrong with Brazil? Traditional Copa America favourites nearing historic losing record with Neymar injured

“It’s a difficult time we’re going through, yes. But nothing that’s impossible to reverse quickly," said Brazil's new head coach Dorival Junior as he painted a positive picture in his first press conference in January, but the truth is: a dark cloud hangs over the Brazil national team.

With March friendlies against England and Spain set to present the final test before this summer's Copa America, there are a lot of jitters currently about the Selecao. The heyday of the early 2000s, where Brazil captured a World Cup (2002) plus four of five Copa America titles (1997-2007) are long gone. With only one major trophy won in the last 16 years, Brazil's dominance is fading, not only on the global football stage but also within their own continent.

Now, placed at a surprising sixth in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying after the first six matches, Brazil finds the gap on the global field significantly narrowing.

If they are to perform poorly at this summer's showcase tournament in the United States, the underlying anxieties about a disappointing World Cup will undoubtedly escalate to unprecedented levels, ringing alarm bells across the board.

COPA AMERICA TICKETS: Secure Brazil tickets for the 2024 Copa America in USA

The issues for Brazil have been bubbling for a number of years, but their start to 2026 World Cup qualification has threatened to transition recent foreshadowing into a full-blown crisis.

Brazil have been eliminated from the World Cup quarterfinals in four of the last five tournaments, a run which would give any global power reason to fear a permanent fall from grace. Yet thanks to a continual injection of young talent, Brazil are always a few results away from returning to its former glory.

Now, however, the dissent is