Brazil

Brazil

The Brazil national football team (Portuguese: Seleção Brasileira) represents Brazil in international men's football. Brazil is administered by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), the governing body for football in Brazil. They have been a member of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) since 1923 and also a member of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) since 1916. Brazil is the most successful national football team in the history of the FIFA World Cup, with five championships, followed by Italy. They are also the most successful team in the FIFA Confederations Cup with three titles. Brazil are the current holders of the FIFA Confederations Cup after winning the 2005 and the 2009 edition of the tournament. Brazil is currently ranked eigteenth by FIFA. They are the only national team to have played in every World Cup. Brazil is the only team to have won the championship in four different continents; once in Europe (1958 Sweden), once in South America (1962 Chile), twice in North America (1970 Mexico and 1994 United States) and once in Asia (2002 Korea/Japan). A common quip about football is: "Os ingleses o inventaram, os brasileiros o aperfeiçoaram" ("The English invented it, the Brazilians perfected it"). Despite being the kings of football, Brazil have never won a World Cup at home. The closest they have come to winning at home was in 1950, when they reached the final against Uruguay on home soil but lost 2-1 in a stunning comeback win for Uruguay. In the Copa America tournaments, Brazil are the third most successful team with 8 titles, after Uruguay (15) and Argentina (14). They have also won five out of the last six Copa America tournaments. Brazil are also the most successful team in the FIFA Confederations Cup. They have won 4 titles so far (1997, 2005, 2009, 2013). Brazil is scheduled to host the 2014 World Cup and therefore, they are automatically qualified for the tournaments.