ABOUT VINICIUS JUNIOR
World Cup pedigree
Vinicius Junior's WC debut at Qatar 2022 was muted — Brazil exited at the quarter-final stage to Croatia on penalties, and Vinicius was substituted before the shootout. He scored one goal at the tournament and was generally seen as a player whose moment was still ahead of him.
Role for Brazil
Real Madrid's left-winger and 2024 Champions League final hero, Vinicius is the most direct one-on-one dribbler in world football. His role for Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti (his Madrid coach, now Brazil head coach) is identical: hug the left touchline, take on the full-back, cut inside on his right foot. Decision-making in the final third has improved year-on-year.
WC2026 outlook
Top-scorer market quotes him around 12-13/1 — third favourite behind Mbappé and Haaland. Brazil's Group D draw (Morocco, Egypt, qualifier playoff) is favourable, and Ancelotti's Madrid-style system maximises Vinicius's strengths. The defining narrative: he turned 26 in July and is in peak years; Brazil's title hopes correlate strongly with his form.
Best WC2026 odds for Brazil
Tournament starts 11 June 2026
Vinicius Junior's WC2026 stats will appear here after the tournament opens with Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Banorte.
Stats update after each match Junior features in.
QUALIFYING STATS
Performance Metrics