Any World Cup featuring Brazil inevitably casts them among the frontrunners for glory. That will surely be the case again at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™, where the Seleção will compete in yet another edition of the U-20 global showpiece.
They go into the competition full of anticipation and eager to end their lingering title drought. The five-time world champions in the category currently find themselves in the middle of their longest dry spell without lifting the coveted crown, having last done so in 2011 with a generation boasting future stars like Philippe Coutinho, Oscar and Casemiro.
Since then, they have struggled to replicate their success at the U-20 World Cup. Despite a promising performance that saw them finish as runners-up to Serbia in 2015, Brazil missed out on the tournaments held in 2013, 2017 and 2019. They returned to the fold in Argentina in 2023, when they were eliminated by Israel in the quarter-finals.
With the 2025 edition about to get under way, expectations are high for a different outcome. The reigning South American champions will travel to Chile with renewed optimism, not least owing to the resilience they demonstrated earlier this year on the continental stage.
Their 2025 South American U-20 Championship got off to the worst possible start when they suffered a devastating 6-0 rout at the hands of fierce rivals Argentina. Despite that setback, the players kept their composure, won six of their eight subsequent contests and secured silverware thanks to an impressive showing in the final stage.
For the global extravaganza in Chile, they have been handed a place in Group C alongside Mexico, Morocco and Spain, with their tournament curtain-raiser set to take place against El Tricolor on Sunday, 28 September.
Everything you need to know about the FIFA U-20 World Cup
Brazil’s Group C matches
Sunday, 28 September Brazil – Mexico | 20:00 | Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos (Santiago)
Wednesday, 1 October Brazil – Morocco | 20:00 | Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos (Santiago)
Saturday, 4 October Spain – Brazil | 17:00 | Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos (Santiago)
All times are local
The coach: Ramon Menezes
Head coach Ramon Menezes arrives to Chile with three years of experience under his belt at the helm of the U-20 team. In that time, he has guided his young charges to two instalments of the World Cup and a pair of South American titles (in 2023 and 2025).
Having steered Brazil to the quarter-finals of the 2023 tournament, he now has his sights set firmly on taking his team deeper into the competition.
A skilful attacking midfielder who showcased his flair for a plethora of household clubs in Brazil in the 1990s and 2000s, Menezes turned to coaching after hanging up his boots, making his name as a manager at Vasco da Gama and even taking interim charge of the senior national team in February 2023.
Star player: Pedro
Such is the nature of today’s game that players seem to move through the youth ranks at an alarming rate, making it hard to come by those who have won the same tournament twice. But that is precisely an accolade that Pedro can boast, having claimed the South American U-20 Championship title on two occasions with Brazil, in 2023 and 2025.
A left winger with mercurial skill and staggering speed, the Corinthians academy product was one of Brazil’s standout performers in this year’s continental triumph, scoring twice and providing six assists during the campaign. At 19 years of age, he is one of the most experienced players in Menezes’ squad, having already spent several seasons in the professional game.
Currently with Russian club Zenit, Pedrinho looks primed to test himself against the world’s toughest defences at the level, and Brazil will certainly hope that he is firing on all cylinders in Chile.
One to watch: Luighi
Palmeiras have long maintained a prolific academy and their knack for producing top-tier players is well established. With the likes of Endrick and Estevao having emerged off the conveyor belt of talent, their next prodigy, Luighi, will be looking to make a name for himself on the global stage in Chile.
The striker arrived at the Sao Paulo powerhouse club in 2016 and quickly became something of a sensation. He bagged 21 goals in 22 outings for the Verdão’s U-17s in 2023, earning himself a call-up to the national team for that year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup™. He has since been promoted to the club’s U-20 ranks, with whom he won the Brazilian top-flight title in the following season and was a runner-up in this year’s U-20 CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores.
Having already scored for the senior side, Luighi currently finds himself balancing his duties between the Palmeiras youth set-up and the first team and will be hoping that his multifaceted experience and skill set will prove to be the difference-maker for Brazil in Chile.
