Brazil National Football Team Records and Statistics

You need to know compiles Brazil National Football Team Records and Statistics from – World Cup performances and all-time head-to-head numbers to individual milestones and team records — giving fans and researchers a single authoritative reference.

The Brazil national football team stands as football’s most storied powerhouse, combining a century of tournament success with a uniquely attractive playing style. Known worldwide as the Seleção or Canarinho, Brazil’s legacy is defined by five FIFA World Cup triumphs (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002), a tradition of producing superstars, and a record of consistency at the sport’s highest level.

Beyond trophies, Brazil’s impact on the global game is evident in its top scorers, most-capped players, historic winning runs, and landmark matches that shaped football history.

Whether you’re looking for Brazil’s all-time World Cup stats, seasonal records, or notable player achievements, this guide breaks down the numbers with context and sources so you can understand not just what the records are, but what they mean.

Scroll down for easily searchable sections covering World Cup results, continental records, player lists, and a timeline of Brazil’s greatest moments.

Brazil National Football Team Records and FIFA World Cup Dominance

Championship Record

Brazil holds the distinction of being the only nation to win five FIFA World Cups, claiming the trophy in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002. This unmatched achievement places them ahead of Germany and Italy, who each have four titles.​

The Seleção remains the only country to have competed in all 22 World Cup editions without absence or need for playoffs. Their World Cup participation spans from 1930 to 2022, an unbroken 92-year streak of qualification​.

Brazil National Football Team Records in all-time World Cup

Brazil’s overall World Cup record demonstrates sustained excellence across nearly a century:

Tournament Statistics:

• 76 victories in 114 matches (66.7% win rate)​
• 129 goal difference (highest in World Cup history)​
• 247 total points​
• Only 19 losses (lowest loss percentage among frequent participants)​

Brazil has achieved the rare feat of winning the World Cup on four different continents:​

• Europe: Sweden 1958
• South America: Chile 1962
• North America: Mexico 1970, USA 1994
• Asia: South Korea/Japan 2002

The team has finished undefeated seven times, including during all five championship runs. They accomplished the remarkable feat of winning every match in a single tournament twice (1970 and 2002), a record unmatched since 1950.​

Historic Unbeaten Streaks

Brazil holds multiple World Cup unbeaten records:

• 13 consecutive World Cup matches without defeat (1958-1966)​
• 11-match streaks achieved three separate times (1970-74, 1978-82, 2002-06)​
• 62 consecutive competitive home matches unbeaten (1975-2014), ended by Germany’s 7-1 semifinal victory​

Brazilian Individual Player Records

Most Appearances

Cafu holds the Brazil record with 142 caps (1990-2006). The legendary right-back appeared in four World Cups and captained Brazil to the 2002 title.​

Top 10 Most Capped Players:

1. Cafu: 142 caps, 5 goals (1990-2006)​
2. Neymar: 128 caps, 79 goals (2010-present)​
3. Dani Alves: 126 caps, 8 goals (2006-2022)​
4. Roberto Carlos: 125 caps, 10 goals (1992-2006)​
5. Thiago Silva: 113 caps, 7 goals (2008-2022)​
6. Lúcio: 105 caps, 4 goals (2000-2011)​
7. Marquinhos: 101 caps, 7 goals (2013-present)​
8. Cláudio Taffarel: 101 caps, 0 goals (1988-1998)​
9. Robinho: 100 caps, 28 goals (2003-2017)​
10. Ronaldo: 98 caps, 62 goals (1994-2011)​
11. Djalma Santos: 98 caps, 3 goals (1952-1968)​

All-Time Top Scorers

Neymar became Brazil’s all-time leading scorer in September 2023, surpassing the legendary Pelé with 79 international goals. He achieved this milestone with a brace in a 5-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Bolivia. Currently, Neymar is the only active player among the top five goal scorers and is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Top 10 Goal Scorers:

1. Neymar: 79 goals in 128 caps (0.62 average, 2010-present)​
2. Pelé: 77 goals in 92 caps (0.84 average, 1957-1971)​
3. Ronaldo: 62 goals in 98 caps (0.63 average, 1994-2011)​
4. Romário: 55 goals in 70 caps (0.79 average, 1987-2005)​
5. Zico: 48 goals in 71 caps (0.68 average, 1976-1986)​
6. Bebeto: 39 goals in 75 caps (0.52 average, 1985-1998)​
7. Rivaldo: 35 goals in 74 caps (0.47 average, 1993-2003)​
8. Jairzinho: 33 goals in 81 caps (0.41 average, 1964-1982)​
9. Ronaldinho: 33 goals in 97 caps (0.34 average, 1999-2013)​
10. Ademir: 32 goals in 39 caps (0.82 average, 1945-1953)​
11. Tostão: 32 goals in 54 caps (0.59 average, 1966-1972)​

Pelé’s 0.84 goals-per-game ratio remains the highest among Brazil’s top scorers, while Ademir’s 0.82 average ranks second despite playing in the 1940s-50s era.

Copa América Success

Brazil has won nine Copa América titles, ranking third all-time behind Argentina (16) and Uruguay (15).​

Championship Years:

• 1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2019​

Tournament Record:

• 194 matches played
• 109 victories
• 40 draws
• 45 defeats
• 435 goals scored
• 206 goals conceded​

Brazil has also finished as runners-up 12 times, most recently losing the 2021 final 1-0 to Argentina at the Maracanã.​

Copa América Top Performers:

• Zizinho: 17 goals in 33 matches (joint-record with Argentina’s Norberto Méndez)​
• Jair: 13 goals
• Ademir: 13 goals
• Didi: 11 goals
• Ronaldo: 10 goals (modern era leader)​

FIFA Confederations Cup Mastery

Brazil dominated the now-defunct FIFA Confederations Cup, winning the tournament four times (1997, 2005, 2009, 2013). This represents the most titles by any nation.​

Their 2013 triumph on home soil was particularly dominant, defeating Spain 3-0 in the final with goals from Fred (2) and Neymar. The tournament served as a dress rehearsal for the 2014 World Cup, with Brazil winning all five matches.​

Olympic Football Gold Medals

Brazil captured their first-ever Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016, ending a long drought on home soil. They successfully defended the title at Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021), defeating Spain 2-1 in extra time with substitute Malcom scoring the winner.​

Olympic Records:

• 2 gold medals (2016, 2021)​
• 3 silver medals
• 2 bronze medals​

The 2016 victory was particularly emotional, with Neymar converting the decisive penalty in the shootout against Germany to secure Brazil’s first Olympic football gold.​

Historic Winning Streaks

Brazil holds the record for the longest unbeaten streak in international football with 35 consecutive matches from December 16, 1993, to January 18, 1996. During this period:​

• 28 wins, 7 draws​
• Won the 1994 FIFA World Cup​
• Reached the 1995 Copa América final​
• Streak ended with a 2-0 loss to Mexico in the 1996 Gold Cup final​

This record was later equaled by Spain (2006-2009) but has never been surpassed.​

Notable Defeats and Records

The Mineiraço (2014 World Cup)

Brazil’s most devastating defeat came in the 2014 World Cup semifinal, losing 7-1 to Germany at the Mineirão stadium in Belo Horizonte. This match produced multiple unwanted records:

Historic Lows:

• Worst World Cup defeat in Brazilian history​
• Largest margin in a World Cup semifinal​
• Equaled worst-ever defeat (6-0 vs Uruguay in 1920)​
• Ended 62-match home unbeaten streak in competitive matches​
• Germany scored five goals in 29 minutes, with four coming in six minutes​

The defeat, dubbed the “Mineiraço” in reference to the 1950 Maracanazo, remains Brazil’s darkest sporting moment.​

Other Significant Defeats

• 0-4 vs Argentina (November 2024, World Cup qualifying) – Argentina’s biggest win over Brazil in 61 years​
• 0-3 vs France (1998 World Cup final)​
• 0-6 vs Uruguay (1920) – Previous worst defeat​

Overall International Record

Brazil’s all-time international record demonstrates consistent excellence:

• 1,052 total matches
• 664 wins (63.1%)
• 217 draws (20.6%)
• 168 losses (16.0%)
• 2,265 goals scored
• 938 goals conceded (+1,327 goal difference)

Current Form and Recent Performance

As of October 2025, Brazil’s recent results show:

• 2025: 4 wins, 1 draw, 3 loss
• 2024: 6 wins, 7 draws, 1 loss
• 2023: 3 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses

Brazil’s legacy as the most successful national team in football history remains secure, with records spanning World Cup victories, individual achievements, continental championships, and historic unbeaten runs that define the sport’s golden standard.

Brazil National Football Team records in all competitions