The president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, stated this Friday that the Brazilian team has the possibility of winning its sixth title in the 2026 World Cup, but he regretted that the country no longer produces soccer “geniuses” as in past times.

“Unfortunately we are not in a phase of producing football geniuses like those we already had in 1958, 1970 or 2002,” said the president during his participation in the television program Sem Censura.

Despite the lack of great idols, Lula was optimistic about the process under Carlo Ancelotti.

“We are not marvelous, but neither are the others,” he stated, and assured that, if the Italian manages to impose “seriousness and respect,” the team can be crowned champion.

The president revealed that his only real concern for the World Cup is the French team, current runner-up in the world after the 2022 tournament.

The head of state also sent a direct message to the footballers who will represent the country, calling on them to keep their feet on the ground.

"They are playing on behalf of the country, which has 215 million inhabitants. This group has to always remember what they were when they were not famous," he said.

In Brazil, since redemocratization, the World Cup years always coincide with the presidential election years.

Unlike the tournament held in Qatar, which was played exceptionally in November and December, after Lula won the elections, this year it returns to its traditional mid-year schedule, less than four months before the first round is held that pits the progressive against the senator and first-born son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio Bolsonaro, among other candidates.

When asked if this year's World Cup will be able to unite a “polarized” society, Lula responded that soccer will unite the country.

"When she (the Brazilian soccer team) loses, we cry together; when she wins, we celebrate together," he said.

In February, at an event that brought together Brazilian players who had won previous editions of the World Cup, Lula kissed the World Cup trophy and confessed that “he is convinced” that Brazil is going to win the World Cup because “when the coach is serious, the players assume their responsibility.”