Brazil’s seven-year trophy drought casts long shadow over World Cup hopes

At the Maracanã, where the roar of 78,000 fans once celebrated Brazil’s 3-1 Copa América triumph, the silence now echoes louder than the cheers. Seven years have passed since that Tuesday evening in Rio de Janeiro when Everton Cebolinha, Gabriel Jesus, and Richarlison wrote their names into Seleção folklore. The milestone arrives just days after Brazil’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the round of 16, losing 2-1 to Norway last Sunday. A record sixth World Cup title now feels increasingly distant, with 24 years having passed since Brazil last lifted the trophy. Brazil’s 2019 Copa América win in Rio de Janeiro marked the end of a 12-year drought in the continental tournament, a victory that briefly silenced critics. The Seleção defeated Peru 3-1 at the Maracanã in the final, with goals from Everton Cebolinha, Gabriel Jesus, and Richarlison. The triumph capped a campaign under head coach Tite that featured standout performances from Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, and Gabriel Jesus. The 2019 Copa América began with a 3-0 opening win, followed by a 0-0 draw with Venezuela and a 5-0 thrashing of Peru. In the knockout stages, Brazil beat Paraguay 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw, then overcame Argentina 2-0 in the semifinal before the 3-1 final victory.

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Everton Cebolinha finished as the tournament’s top scorer with three goals, while Philippe Coutinho starred in midfield. The squad included players like Alisson, Marquinhos, and Gabriel Jesus, many of whom have since moved to clubs across Europe. Brazil’s 2019 Copa América success followed their 2013 Confederations Cup win, a tournament where fans mocked Lionel Messi after Argentina had gone 20 years without a trophy. That 2013 victory served as a perceived warm-up for the 2014 World Cup on home soil.

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The current generation faces mounting pressure to end a barren spell that has lasted since 2019, with the next Copa América just over a year away. The Seleção’s World Cup elimination to Norway underscores the urgency of reversing a trajectory that has seen major-trophy droughts stretch from 12 years in 2019 to seven today. For a nation that once defined World Cup dominance, the gap between expectation and reality has never felt wider.