Michael Bastos comments on expectations for the start of the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup begins this Thursday (11), with the opening game between Mexico and South Africa, at 4 pm (Brasília time), at the Azteca Stadium, in Mexico City, valid for the first round of Group A. Before the match, at 2:30 pm, the first of three opening ceremonies organized by FIFA will be held, with attractions such as Shakira, J Balvin, Maná and Tyla.
In an interview with CNN Novo Dia, commentator Michael Bastos spoke about expectations for the start of the tournament and assessed the Brazilian team's chances in the competition. He highlighted that, despite always supporting Brazil, he sees the national team in a technically delicate moment.
Brazil is facing difficult times, according to Michael Bastos
Michael Bastos was direct in assessing the current level of the Brazilian team. "Brazil always enters the World Cup with favoritism, but I think that today I see Brazil going through, for me, one of the worst moments, technically speaking, of the Brazilian team", he stated.
He cited difficulties in the qualifiers and coaching changes as factors that impacted the team's performance.
For the commentator, teams like France, England and Portugal are, at the moment, technically ahead of Brazil. "I think Brazil will always be a strong team, but I see these teams that I mentioned a little further ahead of Brazil," he said.
Still, he believes the team is capable of advancing in the group stage.
Debut against Morocco is a "key piece", says commentator
Michael Bastos considered Brazil's debut against Morocco as decisive for the team's performance throughout the tournament. "This debut for Brazil, for me, is a key piece for the Brazilian team," he declared. He highlighted that Morocco is a qualified team, with high-level players, like Hakimi, and that it deserves respect.
According to the commentator, Brazil and Morocco are the two favorites to qualify from the group. By winning the debut and the following clash against Haiti - an opponent he considered much more accessible -, Brazil would practically guarantee classification before the last game, against Scotland, a team known for its defensive solidity. "Winning in this debut, Brazil will certainly guarantee itself in the second game for classification", he projected.
Anxiety is part of it, but the ball rolling changes everything
When asked about how to deal with anxiety before a World Cup debut, Michael Bastos turned to his own experience. "Defending the Brazilian team's shirt is a lot of pressure," he acknowledged. He said that, in 2010, the penny only really dropped when the anthem played and the ball started rolling.
"The anxiety is always great, there's nothing you can do, but after the ball rolls, you certainly get into the adrenaline of the match", he said. For him, the first game is fundamental not only for the result, but for the psychological impact that a victory can have on the rest of Brazil's World Cup campaign.
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Source: CNN