In a night of celebration for Brazilian football, Raphinha has been the undisputed protagonist by helping his national team qualify for the World Cup 2026, which will take place in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The 1-0 victory over Paraguay not only guarantees a ticket to the World Cup but also marks a personal milestone for the FC Barcelona player, who becomes the first culé to secure his participation in this tournament.
This will be Raphinha's second World Cup, having already been part of the squad in the Qatar 2022 edition, where Brazil reached the quarter-finals. Brazil's qualification for this World Cup is a testament to its dominance in international football, being the only team to have participated in every edition of the tournament, totaling 23 appearances.
A New Format and More Teams
With Brazil's qualification, thirteen teams have now secured their spots in the World Cup 2026. This tournament will feature a new format, expanding the number of teams from 32 to 48. In addition to Brazil, other countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Argentina, South Korea, Uzbekistan, and Jordan have also qualified. As the tournament date approaches, many more names, including several azulgranas, are expected to join the list.
Raphinha, a Pillar in Brazilian History
Raphinha's participation in the World Cup 2026 will mark the ninth occasion that a FC Barcelona player represents Brazil in this prestigious tournament. From the first edition in 1994, where Romario left his mark, to the present, the Catalan club has seen great figures like Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Alves, and Neymar shine on the world stage. Now, Raphinha joins this illustrious list, reaffirming his importance in the national team.
The Brazilian winger has had a significant impact in the South American qualifiers, being his national team's top scorer with five goals. Despite the challenges Brazil has faced in this campaign, Raphinha has proven to be a key player, contributing to 35% of the goals scored by his team. His performance at FC Barcelona, where he has had an exceptional season, has placed him in the conversation for the Ballon d'Or 2025.
With eyes set on the World Cup, Raphinha and Brazil are preparing to face the final challenges of the qualifiers, where a victory could seal their definitive qualification. The culé fans eagerly await to see their star shine on the biggest stage in world football.