'World order' of football is changing, says Brazil coach Dorival

The landscape of international football is undergoing significant changes, as noted by Brazil's coach Dorival Junior (62) prior to the World Cup qualifier against Venezuela on Thursday.

"I anticipate a challenging match. We should not underestimate Venezuela, nor should we forget Bolivia's recent performance. The dynamics of global football are evolving rapidly," Dorival remarked on Wednesday in Belem, where the team was engaged in training.

Despite the recent relief brought by victories over Chile (2-1) and Peru (4-0) during the October matches, the seasoned coach cautioned that both Brazil and Argentina must acknowledge the ground they have lost to teams that were once considered less formidable.

"Overall, South American football has made significant progress. If you examine the majority of national squads, you will find players competing in clubs worldwide, which was not the case until recently," he explained.

"The leading teams have not had as much opportunity for development, while those at the lower end are making notable advancements. This is creating a more level playing field and resulting in closer contests."

Under Dorival's guidance, Brazil is still in the process of development, which means their performance may "fluctuate" as they refine their approach.

However, he expressed confidence that they are moving towards becoming a "secure," "robust," and well-rounded team.

Following a difficult start in the qualifiers, where they lost half of their first eight matches in South America, Brazil rebounded with victories against Chile and Peru, currently placing fourth in the standings with 16 points after 10 games. The top six teams from South America will secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Brazil trails the current leaders, Argentina, by six points.

Venezuela occupies the eighth position in the standings.

"We are not in an entirely advantageous position; we are playing catch-up... (but) we are developing a stronger sense of structure within the team," Dorival stated.

After the match against Venezuela on Friday, Brazil will face Uruguay next Tuesday.