Sir Alex Ferguson was not interested in picking out a single team to win the World Cup as much as the former Manchester United boss did with a bold claim he made.
The 84-year-old legendary Scotsman previously led Scotland to the World Cup in 1986 for a brief period after the tragic passing of mentor Jock Stein in 1985.
Sir Alex Ferguson is all too familiar with what it takes for a nation to compete on the biggest international stage of all, having fallen well short at the World Cup in Mexico.
However, the iconic ex-Manchester United manager knows well enough about the heavy-hitting nations at a World Cup and one stood out for him more than others.
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Sir Alex Ferguson’s beloved Scotland found themselves in Group C alongside five-time World Cup champions Brazil for this summer’s tournament.
The legendary former Aberdeen manager was one of the many influential footballing figures who talked about the ongoing FIFA World Cup in the build-up back in 2025.
However, Ferguson was not stuck on a prediction for which single team would be the outright winner of the latest World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The Manchester United legend switched the optics around Brazil being the team to beat at the World Cup, which would be the first sign of who will win the tournament.
“Portugal have got good players. I always think of Brazil at the World Cup,” he told Press Box PR in 2025.
“The Brazilian players – I had the two young lads, twins, Rafael and Fabio. They were first-rate in training every day, never wore [tracksuit] bottoms.
“They have a toughness about them, Brazilians. You see them on the beach for hours and hours every night playing.
“I think whoever beats Brazil will win the World Cup.”
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Brazil are finally finding their stride in the World Cup and Sir Alex Ferguson’s prediction remains intact
I myself backed Brazil to win the World Cup in this tournament and it would seem that the five-time World Cup champions are slowly coming into their element.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men were far from their best in their Group C opener against retroactive champions Morocco in a 1-1 draw that left much to be desired.
However, Brazil’s comfortable 3-0 win over Scotland – a dagger to the heart of Ferguson, I imagine – showed Carlo Ancelotti’s side playing with the confidence expected.
Vinicius Junior is finding his rhythm under former Madrid manager Ancelotti, having scored four times in Brazil’s three matches against Morocco, Haiti and Scotland.
For the United fans – much like myself – Matheus Cunha has been showing what is to come from him next season after his impact for Brazil at the World Cup so far.
The 27-year-old Brazilian forward scored a brace against Haiti before Matheus Cunha added his name to the scoresheet for the Group C encounter with Scotland.
Ancelotti’s men are through to the round of 32 at the World Cup and the knockout stages could show if Ferguson’s 2025 claim will come to fruition or not.
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