Marquinhos says 2026 could be final shot, seeks Word Cup glory

Brazil captain Marquinhos arrives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup carrying the weight of experience, regret and ambition, insisting this campaign may be his final opportunity to achieve football’s ultimate prize.

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The 32-year-old centre-back, fresh from back-to-back UEFA Champions League triumphs with Paris Saint-Germain, has urged Brazil to turn elite pedigree into World Cup success as they target a record-extending sixth title in North America.

The PSG captain disclosed this in an interview shared on FIFA website on Friday.

It was titled, “Marquinhos vows to battle pressure in pursuit of World Cup prize with Brazil.”

The Seleção head into the tournament under Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti after a turbulent qualification cycle marked by coaching changes and a fifth-place finish in CONMEBOL qualifying.

Despite the inconsistency, belief remains strong inside the camp, with Marquinhos set to lead a squad packed with attacking talent and renewed tactical structure under one of football’s most decorated managers.

Reflecting on the demands of elite competition, Marquinhos drew on PSG’s journey from repeated European disappointment to continental dominance.

“I’ve experienced that [frustration] at club level and so have some of the others in the squad,” Brazil captain told FIFA. “We know that standards are extremely high and that it all comes down to the finest details: making as few mistakes as possible, capitalising on our opponents’ errors and staying strong because we know we’ll have to pull through some difficult moments.”

Marquinhos, who has endured World Cup elimination in the quarter-finals in both 2018 and 2022, believes leadership becomes most important in adversity, especially for younger players facing the intensity of international football.

“Leaders really come into their own in difficult and challenging circumstances,” Marquinhos told FIFA. “That’s when you need to step up and carry the mantle of responsibility, especially for the younger players, for those who aren’t used to the pressure cooker and the furore that surrounds the national team when times get tough.”

He also stressed that responsibility extends beyond matchdays, particularly when results do not go as planned.

“That really is part and parcel of being a captain or leader,” he told FIFA. “When times get tough, you need to be strong, help maintain a sense of calm and understand that you can turn things around through hard work, training and dedication.”

Brazil’s path to the World Cup has been shaped by transition, but Marquinhos believes the squad’s depth offers genuine optimism heading into the tournament.

“We’ve got so many great players, with a plethora of options in all areas. We need to continue to mould our identity and understand how we can hurt our opponents and how best to adapt when the going gets tough,” the PSG skipper declared.

A key figure in that rebuild is Carlo Ancelotti, whose reputation as one of football’s most successful managers has added authority and stability to the Seleção setup. Marquinhos has been quick to highlight the impact of the Italian’s presence.

“Ancelotti is a serial winner who has proven that he knows how to transform a team into champions,” the UCL two time champion said. “I think it’s important for us to have him in charge right now. He’s dealt remarkably well with the challenges and the pressure that come with the territory.

“We’re delighted to have a manager like him, who really understands his squad, his players, and who knows so much about the tactical side of the game, and even more about what it takes to become a champion. He’s brought a real spark to the group, that extra edge we needed going into this World Cup.”

For Marquinhos, the tournament carries personal significance rooted in childhood inspiration. He grew up watching Brazil’s iconic 2002 triumph, a moment that helped shape his footballing ambitions.

“When I was a kid, I saw our country become five-time champions with that win at the 2002 tournament. That lit the touchpaper for my passion for football, Brazil and the World Cup,” he called.

That dream has now taken him from boyhood admiration to national captaincy on football’s biggest stage. Having first featured at Russia 2018 and then started in Qatar 2022, he now enters what could be his defining tournament.

“Every player who gets their hands on the trophy says that it’s without question the greatest moment of their lives. I want to experience that for myself. If I were to win the World Cup, it would be the pinnacle of my life and career,” the Brazilian captain stated.

With Brazil chasing history once again and Ancelotti steering a new era, Marquinhos is under no illusions about the stakes — or the urgency.

“At 32, this might be my last chance,” he concluded.