
<p>Brazil is to soccer what New Orleans is to jazz – the most beautiful form it can take. Brazil is always a contender to win the men’s World Cup or any other competition it plays in. The national side sacks managers for <em>only </em>reaching the quarterfinals but no further. A last-eight finish is a waste of the team’s talent and expectations.</p>



<p>Until the past few decades, that success was a tribute to the domestic growth of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/brasileirao-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">sport within Brazil</a>. Even today, when European clubs <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/real-madrid-agree-fee-for-teenage-star-endrick-20221209-WST-411760.html">sign Brazilian teenagers</a>, the club system is integral to the Seleção’s success. It is the clubs that grow the players, teach them the style and play to the standard of Brazilian players. Then, they integrate into the significance of that famous yellow kit. Because Brazil is so large, only a tiny percentage of its soccer players will ever wear the iconic shirt. The clubs were – and to a limited extent still are – the groups that start winnowing the player pool.</p>



<h2><em>Flamengo: Winning All the Cups</em></h2>



<p>The domestic system to see how it influences the Brazilian style. The best place to get a deep dive into that is with its richest club, CR Flamengo. Longtime soccer writer and podcaster Stephen Brandt takes a fresh look at this club in his new book. <em>Flamengo: Winning All the Cups</em> not only goes through the history of the club through the COVID era. It provides social and sporting context to Flamengo. That illustrates what this club is and how it came to be one of South America’s most successful sides.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Flamengo (BRA) vs Paranaense (BRA) | LIBERTADORES FINAL HIGHLIGHTS | 10/29/22 | beIN SPORTS USA" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K0NOK_wMPp0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>In the interest of full disclosure, I have collaborated with Brandt on projects in the past. Also, I wrote the foreward for his last book.</p>



<p>This book on Flamengo has elements of a traditional club narrative. To start, readers learn about the club’s founding. That touches upon high points like major trophies won and key players. In this case, Brandt spends time talking about the impact Zico has on Flamengo and its fans. Brandt provides background and context on the 1981 Intercontinental Cup victory over <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y5XH1zEaio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Liverpool</a>. </p>



<h5>A changing modern era</h5>



<p>New to this book is the impact of the COVID pandemic on the club and Brazilian soccer While the long-term implications of the COVID pandemic in Brazil are still to be seen, he does a good job describing how the shutdowns impacted even the rich Flamengo.</p>



<p>If you have read Brandt’s other books or followed his other soccer media, you know that his writings routinely incorporate historical and cultural elements into the main subject. <a href="https://amzn.to/3XLYbta" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flamengo: Winning All the Cups</a> is no different. Interspersed between stories about trophies won by various Flamengo sides are descriptions of things like how Brazil’s culture influences its soccer, how European soccer sides approached the Intercontinental Cup, and why military governments in Brazil changed how clubs like Flamengo operated. At times some of this background color can be a little too long, but again, if you know Brandt you know this is how he operates.</p>



<p>As someone with admittedly and ashamedly little knowledge of Brazilian club soccer, I found this book to be an interesting read. I walked away knowing more not only about Flamengo but Fla-Flu, Vasco, and Brazil’s soccer organization. The book could have used more on the Flamengo-Atletico Mineiro rivalry but covered the others well. I recommend this book to those truly unaware of Brazilian club soccer and the country’s soccer culture. It can be a good primer for many of us on the hotbed of the beautiful game.</p>



<p>Stephen Brandt perfectly captures the history of the club and the impact of wealth on Brazilian soccer.</p>



<p><em>Flamengo: Winning All The Cups</em> is <a href="https://amzn.to/3XLYbta" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">available via Amazon</a> and all fine booksellers.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Fotoarena</em></p>


Flamengo: Winning All the Cups by by Stephen Brandt captures the history of the club and the impact of wealth on Brazilian soccer.

Book Review for 'Flamengo: Winning All the Cups'

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<p>FOX Sports has the broadcast rights to the upcoming <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/club-world-cup-tv-schedule-streaming-links/">FIFA Club World Cup</a>. Now, we know the details for how the channel plans to show the tournament.</p>



<p>It is a special one for American audiences. For the first time, an MLS team is the CONCACAF representative. The Seattle Sounders won the CONCACAF Champions League over Pumas UNAM. Now, Seattle has the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/fifa-club-world-cup-draw-out-seattle-could-face-real-madrid-20230113-WST-415322.html">chance to play Real Madrid</a>. All it has to do is defeat the winner of Egyptian outfit Al Ahly and Auckland City from New Zealand.</p>



<p>No side from outside Europe or South America has ever won the FIFA Club World Cup. Moreover, European teams are on a win streak dating back nine tournaments. </p>



<p>FOX announced that <strong>all games</strong> will be available on both <strong>FS2</strong> and <strong>FOX Deportes</strong>. </p>


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<td width="30%"><a href="http://www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866&amp;subId1=fuboprovider" target="blank" rel="noopener"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20230130_WST_417652_FuboTV.webp&amp;width=500&amp;height=310" alt="Fubo"></figure></div></a></td>
<td width="40%">
<h4>Watch the FIFA Club World Cup</h4>
<p>Includes: Premier League + 84 Sports Channels</p>
</td>
<td><a class="button" href="http://www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866&amp;subId1=fuboprovider" target="blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: white;"><strong>7-Day Free Trial</strong></span></a></td>
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</table>


<p>Additionally, it added that the FOX Deportes game will have 30 minutes of pregame and postgame coverage for each of the seven games at the miniature tournament. FOX Deportes’s play-by-play crews are headlined by commentators John Laguna and Alejandro Luna. The analysts for the games are Claudio Suarez, Martin “Pulpo” Zuniga and Alvaro Izquierdo.</p>



<h2>FIFA Club World Cup schedule on FOX Sports</h2>



<h5>Wednesday –  Feb. 1</h5>



<p>2 p.m. ET (<strong>M1</strong>) – Al Ahly (EGY) vs. Auckland City (NZL)</p>



<p><strong>SATURDAY – FEB. 4</strong></p>



<p>9:30 a.m. ET (<strong>M3</strong>) – Wydad AC (MAR) vs. Al Hilal (KSA)</p>



<p>Noon ET (<strong>M2</strong>) –  Seattle Sounders vs. Winner M1</p>



<h5>Tuesday – Feb. 7</h5>



<p>2 p.m. ET – Flamengo vs. Winner M3</p>



<h5>Wednesday – Feb. 8</h5>



<p>2 p.m. ET – Real Madrid vs. Winner M2</p>



<h5>Saturday – Feb. 11</h5>



<p>10:30 a.m. ET (<strong>Third-place match</strong>) – Teams TBA</p>



<p>2 p.m. ET (<strong>Final</strong>) – Teams TBA</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Sebastian Frej</em></p>


FOX released where American fans can watch the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup in both English and Spanish coverage.

FOX Sports announces FIFA Club World Cup schedule


<p>The matchups for the upcoming <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/club-world-cup-tv-schedule-streaming-links/">FIFA Club World Cup</a> are now officially set after a draw for the competition was completed early Friday in Morocco. Seven total teams will enter the tournament to be played from February 1st through the 11th.</p>



<p>Wydad (CAF), Auckland City (OFC), Seattle Sounders (CONCACAF), Flamengo (CONMEBOL), and <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> (UEFA) all qualified for the Club World Cup for winning their respective confederations. Al Ahly earned access to the competition to the tournament as host (despite being an Egyptian team). They were previously runners-up in the CAF Champions League Final in 2022.</p>



<p>Al Hilal is also competing in this year’s Club World Cup because they won the AFC Champions League tournament in 2021. The 2022 competition is still in the knockout phases. It will not end until later in this year. </p>



<p>American fans will notice Seattle Sounders appearing in the competition. This is the first time an MLS team is competing in the Club World Cup.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The countdown to the Club World Cup is on 😈 <a href="https:\/\/t.co/ChCJG0CZWn">pic.twitter.com/ChCJG0CZWn</a></p>— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/SoundersFC/status/1612222313948409856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>FIFA Club World Cup draw results</h2>



<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>DRAW</em></span></strong></p>



<p><strong>First Round</strong></p>



<p>Al Ahly SC vs. Auckland, February 1</p>



<p><strong>Second Round</strong></p>



<p>Seattle Sounders vs. Al Ahly SC or Auckland, February 4<br>Wydad AC vs. Al Hilal SFC, February 4</p>



<p><strong>Semi-final</strong></p>



<p>Flamengo vs. Wydad AC or Al Hilal SFC, February 7<br>Seattle Sounders or Al Ahly or Auckland vs. Real Madrid, February 8</p>



<p><strong>Third-place final</strong></p>



<p>Losers of semi-final 1 vs. semi-final 2, February 11</p>



<p><strong>Final</strong></p>



<p>Winners of semi-final 1 vs. semi-final 2, February 11</p>



<p>Television broadcasts of the games will be shown across FOX Sports and Telemundo Deportes in the United States. As soon as we get more details, check out the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/club-world-cup-tv-schedule-streaming-links/">Club World Cup TV schedule</a>.</p>



<h5>Format for tournament is a bit uncommon</h5>



<p>With an odd number of teams, the competition’s format is a bit unusual. Al Ahly will face Auckland City on February 1st in the first round of the competition. It will be the only match of the opening round of the tournament. Three remaining clubs will begin play in the second round of the competition. This is a bit similar to the March Madness bracket of college basketball here Stateside.  </p>



<p>As winners of the two toughest confederations, Flamengo and Real Madrid will enter the tournament in the semifinal stage. Although Flamengo has never won the Club World Cup, Brazilian teams have collected the trophy four times since the competition began in 2000. Real Madrid has won this tournament four times during a five-year stretch between 2014 and 2018. UEFA teams have triumphed in each of the last nine Club World Cups.</p>



<p>FIFA has already <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/premier-league-should-boycott-club-world-cup-says-carragher-20221216-WST-412499.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced plans to expand</a> the competition to 32 teams in 2025.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Sven Simon</em></p>


The FIFA Club World Cup draw has been released. The tournament will take place in Morocco from February 1st through the 11th.

FIFA Club World Cup Draw out; Seattle could face Real Madrid - World Soccer Talk

FIFA Club World Cup Draw out; Seattle could face Real Madrid

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<div id="attachment_355640" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-355640" class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images</p></div>
<p>Brazil’s dominance in the soccer world is one of historic and current significance. Of course, we all know how the nation leads all countries in World Cup Championships. The country consistently produces world-class players that dominate the club scene. Now, Brazil is expanding their domestic output to match the game’s global development.</p>
<p>Twelve games into CONMEBOL’s FIFA World Cup qualification, and Brazil are on top. With a mind-boggling 31 points in eleven games, the Brazilians look set to qualify for the World Cup. They possess an 18-point buffer from missing out on World Cup action.</p>
<p>The Copa Libertadores Final takes place on November 27. The two finalists, Flamengo and Palmeiras, are both Brazilian. Five of the eight quarterfinalists hailed from Brazil in the 2021 Copa Libertadores.</p>
<p>Similarly, the Copa Sudamericana Final features two Brazilian teams. On November 20, Athletico Paranaense takes on Red Bull Bragantino. Brazil’s dominance appeared in the group stage of South America’s Europa-League-equivalent. Four Brazilian clubs qualified for the knockout stages.</p>
<p>Other South American nations pump out talent as well. However, Brazil remains a head above their competition.</p>
<h3>Brazil’s soccer identity</h3>
<div id="attachment_355619" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-355619" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-355619" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20211110_WST_355562_Brazil-World-Cup-Fans-1.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=606" alt="" width="1200" height="606" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Brazil-World-Cup-Fans-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Brazil-World-Cup-Fans-1-300x152.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Brazil-World-Cup-Fans-1-600x303.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Brazil-World-Cup-Fans-1-150x76.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Brazil-World-Cup-Fans-1-768x388.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-355619" class="wp-caption-text">Brazilian fans celebrate during the 2014 World Cup.</p></div>
<blockquote><p><em>“If you are first, you are first. If you are second, you are nothing.” </em></p></blockquote>
<p>Pele’s famous word epitomize Brazil’s dominance throughout the world’s game. The Brazilians try their hardest to win, and when they don’t, they don’t take it well.</p>
<p>It’s no secret that Brazil is a soccer nation. With so many players coming out of the large country, one wonders why Brazil churns out so much world-class talent.</p>
<p>Many Brazilians joked that soccer is their second religion. But, in reality, it is not too far off from the truth.</p>
<p>Exposure to a significant amount of soccer makes you want to play more often. Brazil bleeds the familiar yellow and blue jerseys of the Brazilian soccer team. It has seen more and more success as it becomes more and more popular.</p>
<p>A heavy emphasis on futsal could also be why Brazil has so many talented players. Futsal, an indoor and smaller version of soccer. It prioritizes ball control, quick bursts of passing and creativity. The sport holds a special place in the culture of Brazil.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, part of the reason for its heightened popularity comes from the impoverished public in Brazil. <a href="https:\/\/borgenproject.org/tag/poverty-in-brazil/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Millions of Brazilians live in Favelas</a>, the slums of major cities like Rio de Janeiro, <span>São Paulo and </span>Ceilândia. The lack of development due to wealth imbalance contributes to the youth learning to play in tight areas on roads, concrete or dirt. Even then, young stars in Brazil make the most of their time. They develop fast reflexes, stunning balance, eye-opening ball-control, and dexterousness with the ball through the air.</p>
<p>Neymar is the perfect example of that. His rainbow flicks, body feints, and elasticos are a staple of his soccer style that much of Brazil replicates.</p>
<h3>Brazil’s dominance across club competitions</h3>
<p>Most soccer fans lament the ‘woeful’ Brazilian league. A young, albeit ill-prepared, Brazilian phenom leaves home to play for one of Europe’s best clubs. What happens next is unpredictable. Some, like Neymar from Santos and Vinicius Jr. from Flamengo, turn out to be world-class. Others erase themselves from the history book thanks to their sheer mediocrity. It is certainly a gamble, but clubs take that risk with a number of success stories.</p>
<div id="attachment_355622" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-355622" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-355622 size-medium" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20211110_WST_355562_Neymar-against-Croatia-1-300x184.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=184" alt="" width="300" height="184" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Neymar-against-Croatia-1-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Neymar-against-Croatia-1-600x367.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Neymar-against-Croatia-1-150x92.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Neymar-against-Croatia-1-768x470.jpg 768w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Neymar-against-Croatia-1-223x137.jpg 223w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Neymar-against-Croatia-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-355622" class="wp-caption-text">Neymar takes on two Croatian defenders in the 2014 World Cup.</p></div>
<p>Furthermore, no country has more players in foreign leagues than Brazil. In 2019, <a href="https:\/\/www.statista.com/statistics/1080755/foreign-players-european-soccer-nation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">466 Brazilians played in European competition</a>. That is more than any other country in terms of having players outside of their country of origin.</p>
<p>Brazil has a wealth of home-grown players to rely on at the club level, regardless of how many wunderkinds leave for Europe. Only 11% of soccer players playing in the Brazilian Serie A are foreigners. 64% of players playing in the English Premier League aren’t English. Spain (41%), the United States (57%), Mexico (41%) aren’t far off from the English.</p>
<h5><span>Brasileirão Série A</span></h5>
<p>The percentage numbers that the <span>Brasileirão Série A </span>has are the norm for South American soccer leagues. What separates the Brazilians from the rest of South America is the commitment and sheer number of Brazilians that go through the youth academies every day.</p>
<p>Now through the years, there has been another narrative. Veteran Brazilians have returned to their homelands to mentor young players. Diego Costa, Hulk, and Willian are examples of this.</p>
<p>When they do, it’s a win-win situation. The veterans are closer to their families, mentor the youth, and enjoy a stress-free time away from global media. The young players receive valuable input from the vets while also competing with some of the best players the world has ever seen.</p>
<p>The Brazilian Serie A also acts as a feeder league for Europe’s elite. Due to Brazil’s volatile economy, Brazil’s sides must resort to selling their most skilled youth to EPL, LaLiga and Serie A so they can fend off bankruptcy. Yet, we could be rocketing towards an era like the heydays of the Brazilian Serie A. As Brazil’s economy, carried by coffee profits, continues to improve, so will the status of Brazilian clubs everywhere.</p>
<h5>South American Competition</h5>
<p>We can look at the Copa Libertadores records to attest to the strength of Brazilian leagues. Although the Argentine teams <a href="https:\/\/interestingfootball.com/list-of-copa-libertadores-all-time-winners-most-successful-teams/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claim the most titles</a>, Brazil’s dominance slipped in the Final, but teams from the nation do have the most appearances in championship games. In the Copa Sudamericana, they are second, only behind Argentina, in club titles.</p>
<p>Brazil’s dominance is even more clear in the Copa Libertadores Femenina. The Brazilians won the competition nine times in twelve years, a staggering number. World-class players like Barbara, Cristiane, Beatriz, and Formiga all dominated the continental competition.</p>
<h3>Is Brazil Better Than England?</h3>
<p>England lays claim as being the home of the sport at large. However, Brazil might do it best, at least compared to their English counterparts.</p>
<p>It’s also a good marker for the FA and CBF to judge the progress of the competitions and leagues they create.</p>
<p>The Brazilians played England 26 times. The South American side has 11 wins, 11 draws and just four losses. The Brazilians’ sheer enthusiasm for soccer, their unique approach to the game and their massive population aids the <em>Canarinho’s</em> case in the matchup.</p>
<p>But, with club soccer, the odds are more tilted towards the English. Of course, the European game dominates the club side of the sport. Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and more are make significant leaps in quality each year.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Brazil falls behind. The English have top-tier facilities, an endless amount of money, and youth academies that help develop players. The Brazilians may challenge the English in terms of youth development, but first-team production is not close across the league.</p>
<p>But, significant advancements are being made. With the emergence of more talent and funds, there is a newfound hope for Brazilian club soccer. As for the <span>Seleção</span>, things can only get better for the star-studded roster.</p>
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Brazil's dominance in the soccer world transcends continents. Consistently great talents make the nation one of the best for the sport.

Breaking down Brazil's dominance in world soccer - World Soccer Talk

Breaking down Brazil's dominance in world soccer

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