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The Brazil women’s national team and their manager, Arthur Elias, are entering a crucial stage in a journey that culminates in their nation hosting the biggest tournament in women’s football.
The Brazilian coach already has plenty of accolades to his name, but none more significant than the 2025 Copa América, which they lifted in Ecuador after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Colombia.
That victory was not just about lifting a trophy; it was a sign of the direction this Brazil side is heading under Elias.
It showed their resilience, their mentality, and their ability to handle pressure, something that will be absolutely vital when they step out in front of their home fans in 2027.
Since taking charge in September 2023, Elias has been tasked with guiding Brazil through a period of transition, blending experienced players with a new generation, building a side capable of not just competing but winning on the biggest stage.
Now, with the home World Cup edging closer, the real preparation begins.
Kicking Off 2026
They begin their 2026 campaign with three fixtures, all away from home, taking on Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Mexico over the coming week.
Playing these friendlies away from home is a conscious decision designed to test the team.
Rather than building confidence in familiar surroundings, Elias wants his side tested physically, mentally, and tactically, in stadiums where they are not the favourites with the crowd. It is preparation designed not for comfort, but for growth.
Costa Rica presents a tough test as a side known for being defensively solid and difficult to break down. Venezuela, meanwhile, offers a chance to play a side Brazil are used to playing, but on a neutral venue. Then, of course, comes Mexico. Playing in Mexico means stepping into a packed stadium, with the vast majority of supporters backing the home side. It is a hostile atmosphere, intense, loud, and demanding.
The Weird And Wonderful FIFA Series
Whilst being hosts, it is very difficult for Brazil to find fixtures at home that truly benefit them in the long run. Yes, they could play matches on home soil, but those games do not always replicate the intensity or realism of a World Cup environment. Friendly matches often involve heavy rotation, with managers giving opportunities to different players as they build towards the tournament, rather than treating the match with the same competitive edge.
Naturally, the fans would also be heavily on Brazil’s side, something that will be the case at the World Cup. However, the pressure and expectation of a World Cup is completely different. It is not just about playing at home; it is about handling the weight of a nation, the scrutiny, and the psychological demands that come with it.
For that reason, alternative competitive environments have become crucial. One of those comes in the form of the new FIFA Series tournament.
Brazil will play three matches at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, where they are grouped with Canada, South Korea, and Zambia. The mix of opposition offers different styles, different tactical challenges, and different physical demands.
It provides exactly the kind of varied preparation Brazil needs, giving them a World Cup group ‘mock test’ against competitive international sides.
The First Squad Of 2026
The squad features 12 domestic-based players, including seven from the Corinthians side that reached the Club World Cup final and narrowly lost out to Arsenal, highlighting the strength of the domestic game and the core Elias is building from within Brazil.
One of the notable inclusions is Tamires, who has not featured since the Paris Olympics after undergoing ankle ligament surgery.
With over 80 caps for the Seleção, she brings experience, leadership, and balance on the left-hand side, something that will be crucial as Brazil continue to integrate younger defenders into the squad.
Her recall signals that Elias is not just looking at form, but also at structure. In a squad blending youth and experience.
The back three used during the Olympics was made up of Tarciane, Lauren Leal, and Thais, and all three have been called up once again for this squad. That alone hints towards the possibility that Arthur Elias could continue operating with a back-three system moving forward.
It is a system that suits the strengths of his defenders, particularly Lauren Leal, who has been playing in a back three for Atletico Madrid since their recent managerial change. The adjustment at club level has allowed her to develop further tactically, becoming more comfortable in possession and more assured in defensive positioning.
Her performances have not gone unnoticed. Lauren picked up Atletico Madrid’s Player of the Month award in December, recognition of her consistency and defensive quality. After a spell out of the national team, she has now earned her way back into the squad through performance, not reputation.
Her return gives Elias not only quality, but tactical flexibility, as Brazil continue shaping a defensive structure capable of handling the pressure and intensity of a World Cup on home soil.
One player to keep an eye on is Palmeiras forward Bia Zaneratto. The 32-year-old already has 43 goals for Brazil and remains one of the most reliable attacking threats in the squad.
Her recent form has been outstanding. In Brazil’s last four matches in all competitions, including the emphatic 5-0 victory over Portugal back in December.
She has carried that momentum into the new domestic season as well, starting the Brazilian campaign in perfect fashion with three goals in three matches. She found the net in a 2-1 victory over Corinthians, followed it up with another goal in a 4-1 win against Atletico Mineiro, and then added a third in a 2-1 victory over Gremio. It is the kind of consistency that makes her such an important figure heading into a World Cup cycle.
Also included in the squad is Manchester City’s Kerolin, who has been in equally impressive form. Most recently, she scored a hat-trick against Chelsea in a dominant 5-1 victory.
While these international fixtures won’t have a massive bearing on how the World Cup will go for Brazil, it’s a key indicator, it’s a key start for Arthur Elias and him adapting his methods on how he wants to play come 15 months, when Brazil kick off the tournament. It’s the start of a process that Brazil has been working and building towards since being declared hosts in 2024.
While these international fixtures will not have a massive bearing on how the World Cup itself will unfold, they do serve as an important early indicator of the direction Arthur Elias wants to take this Brazil side.
More importantly, they represent the first real opportunity for him to implement his ideas, refine his tactical approach, and establish the identity he wants his team to carry into the tournament when Brazil kick off their World Cup campaign on home soil.
It is not about immediate perfection, but about progression. About building cohesion, understanding, and resilience within the squad.
This is the beginning of a process that Brazil have been working towards ever since they were confirmed as hosts in 2024. Now, with the World Cup drawing closer, every match, every test, and every challenge becomes another step towards ensuring they are ready for the moment that will define a generation.