Brazil rises to third in World Cup 2026 rankings amid fan superstitions

Brazil advanced to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 2-1 comeback win over Japan in Houston, securing a place in the round of 16. The victory moved the team to the top of Group C and earned them a third‑place ranking in the tournament’s live evaluation by The Athletic, the sports division of The New York Times.

Brazilian supporters have highlighted a series of numerical coincidences, noting that the 2026 tournament marks the end of a 24‑year title drought that began after the 2002 triumph. They point to the fact that the year ends in the number six, matching a potential sixth World Cup title, and cite historical parallels such as Brazil’s previous group‑C draws and the location of past victories in the United States and Mexico.