Brazil FIFA 18 World Cup guide, squad, player ratings, tactics, formation & tips

Brazil FIFA 18 World Cup guide, squad, player ratings,
tactics, formation & tips

Brazil FIFA 18 World Cup guide, squad, player ratings,
tactics, formation & tips

Brazil hold the most World Cup victories with five, and few would bet against the Selecao claiming another crown this summer in Russia. There was much hype ahead of their home World Cup four years ago, but the 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semifinals knocked the entire nation.

This time around, they are again amongst the favourites, but there is a bit more steel about the Brazil side. The mercurial talents of Neymar and Philippe Coutinho are balanced out by the discipline of Casemiro and Paulinho, and many would agree this is a much more rounded side than the one we saw crumble in Belo Horizonte.

World Cup year also marks a World Cup update for FIFA 18. You will be able to pick any of the 32 teams in Russia and embark on your World Cup journey. Brazil would be a brilliant choice, and RealSport gives you all you need as you head to Russia. 

Team rating

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Unsurprisingly, Brazil receive a 5 star rating on FIFA 18, which replicates their 85 overall. This consists of 87 attack, 85 midfield and 86 defence scores.

Brazil’s potential World Cup fixtures

Group Stage

Switzerland

Costa Rica

Serbia

Round of 16

Mexico/Sweden/South Korea

Quarterfinals

Belgium/England/Colombia

Semifinals

Uruguay/Portugal/Spain/France

Final

Germany or Argentina

It’s a superb group stage from Brazil’s standpoint, and they should be eying three comfortable victories to take confidence into the knockouts. Switzerland have proven to be stubborn opposition in the past however, Costa Rica defeated Uruguay & Italy four years ago, and Serbia do have quality throughout the pitch, so don’t get too confident.

If you top the group, the Round of 16 should be straightforward, with the real battles coming in the quarterfinals. You could face any of Belgium, England or Colombia in the last eight, but Brazil’s combination of skill and experience should see them through.

The semifinals will be another tough task, with Spain and France perhaps the first calibre of sides that could defeat the Brazilians. A final against Germany or Argentina is a mouth-watering prospect.

Formation

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Brazil use a conventional 4-3-3 holding system, and you should stick with the formation for the World Cup. If you want to go more attacking, opt for a 4-3-3 attack.

Alisson gets the nod in goal, as Dani Alves, Miranda, Thiago Silva and the dangerous Marcelo (89 crossing) set up in an experienced back four.

Casemiro is in defensive midfield, Paulinho operates in a box-to-box role and the silky Philippe Coutinho (92 balance) is the link man to the attack. 

Willian and danger man Neymar (96 dribbling) provide plenty of energy in the wide areas, and the lively Gabriel Jesus leads the line.

On the bench, opt for Ederson, Marquinhos, Filipe Luis, Fernandinho, Renato Augusto, Douglas Costa and Roberto Firmino. 

Tactics

Neymardependencia was the big theme at the World Cup in 2014, and when Neymar left the tournament injured, Brazil fell apart. The team is much stronger nowadays, but you still can’t deny that Neymar is the catalyst in the side.

You need to get the left winger on the ball as much as possible to utilise his dynamic (96 agility) and technical (95 ball control) abilities. To maximise this, on the instructions tab, tell Neymar to ‘stay forward’, ‘cut inside’ and 'get into box for cross'.

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Aside from Neymar, you will want the creative Philippe Coutinho (86 short passing) joining in with things in the final third. The Barcelona man should ‘get forward’ for attacking support, ‘stay on edge of box for cross’, ‘aggressive interceptions’ and most importantly ‘free roam’ for his positioning freedom.Lastly, your full backs hold tremendous technical ability so tell Danilo and Marcelo to ‘always overlap’ for their attacking runs.

With your first four games in the tournament likely to be against significantly weaker opposition, you should opt for an attacking mentality. This will get your players higher up the pitch as you look to overpower your opponents. 

As you go deeper into the tournament, things will become tougher and you can’t afford to be so open. You could reign your full-backs in, or even put the defensive-minded Fernandinho in the starting lineup alongside Casemiro. 

Target number six

Six World Cups would be a tremendous achievement from Brazil, and you feel few teams could match up to them this summer. Their biggest threat is defending World Champions Germany, but with Brazil claiming a 1-0 win over Die Mannschaft back in March, they are now the favourites for glory in Russia. 

Brazil have tasted defeat just once in close to two years, and with their free-flowing, attacking play, they have the capacity to set the tournament alight this summer. 

Brazil squad player ratings

Player
Age
Pos
Club
OVR
Goalkeepers
Alisson
25
GK
Roma
84
Ederson
24
GK
Manchester City
83
Diego Alves
32
GK
Flamengo
82
Weverton
30
GK
Palmeiras
78
Cassio
30
GK
Corinthians
77
Defenders
Marcelo
29
LB
Real Madrid
87
Miranda
33
CB
Inter Milan
87
Dani Alves
35
RB
PSG
86
Thiago Silva
33
CB
PSG
86
Marquinhos
23
CB
PSG
85
Filipe Luis
32
LB
Atletico Madrid
85
Alex Sandro
27
LB
Juventus
84
David Luiz
31
CB
Chelsea
84
Gabriel Paulista
27
CB RB
Valencia
80
Jemerson
25
CB
Monaco
80
Danilo
26
RB
Manchester City
79
Geromel
32
CB
Gremio
78
Fagner
28
RB
Corinthians
77
Gil
30
CB
Shandong Luneng
76
Midfielders
Paulinho
29
CM CDM
Barcelona
87
Casemiro
26
CDM
Real Madrid
86
Renato Augusto
30
CAM CM
Beijing Sinobo Guoan
85
Fernandinho
33
CDM CM
Manchester  City
84
Giuliano
27
CAM CM
Fenerbahce
83
Oscar
26
CAM CM
Shanghai SIPG
83
Fabinho
24
CDM
Liverpool
83
Lucas Lima
27
CAM CM
Palmeiras
82
Fred
25
CM CDM
Shakhtar
81
Luiz Gustavo
30
CDM CM
Marseille
81
Diego
33
CAM CM
Flamengo
80
Attackers
Neymar
26
LW
PSG
93
Philippe Coutinho
25
RW
Barcelona
88
Willian
29
RW
Chelsea
85
Gabriel Jesus
21
ST
Manchester City
85
Roberto Firmino
26
ST
Liverpool
84
Douglas Costa
27
RW LW
Juventus
83
Hulk
31
RW ST
Shanghai SPIG
83
Taison
30
LW
Shakhtar
82
Ricardo Oliveira
38
ST
Atletico Mineiro
80
Diego Souza
32
ST
Sao Paulo
78
Luan
25
RW ST LW
Gremio
78
Diego Tardelli
33
ST
Shandong Luneng
76