Raphinha

Raphinha enters the 2026 World Cup at a pivotal moment. At 29, the Barcelona forward brings top-level experience, established international recognition, and the kind of tournament-stage profile that naturally draws attention to Brazil's campaign.

As a forward, Raphinha's primary responsibility is finding the back of the net — but their game extends far beyond goalscoring. Their movement off the ball creates space for teammates, their pressing from the front sets the defensive tone, and their ability to hold up play under pressure allows the midfield to advance. In the modern game, elite forwards are judged as much by their work rate and link-up play as their finishing — and Raphinha delivers across all dimensions. At the 2026 World Cup, they will face packed defenses designed specifically to limit their influence, requiring intelligent positioning and clinical execution when chances arrive.

Competing in Group C, Brazil face a group stage campaign that will test every aspect of their preparation. Drawn alongside C opponents, Raphinha's experience and quality will be essential to navigating the challenges that each group stage match presents. The opening match sets the tone for any World Cup campaign — a strong start builds confidence and momentum, while a poor result immediately places the team under enormous pressure for the remaining group fixtures. As a key squad member, Raphinha will need to deliver from the first whistle of the opening match to ensure Brazil position themselves for qualification to the knockout stages.

With Brazil ranked #1 in the world and carrying the expectations that come with being among football's elite, Raphinha understands that anything less than a deep knockout stage run will be viewed as a disappointment. The pressure is immense, but their body of work at club and international level demonstrates a proven ability to perform when the stakes are highest. For Brazil to fulfill their ambitions at World Cup 2026, Raphinha must be at their absolute best.