Tite tips Brazil for World Cup glory

Brazil coach Tite has tipped the five-time winners to claim World Cup glory in Russia next summer.

The Selecao were the first team to qualify for the finals, achieving that feat in March, and they only lost one of their 18 qualification matches, rounding off the campaign in style with a 3-0 home victory over Chile on Tuesday night.

Tite’s side claimed the last of their five world titles at the 2002 finals in South Korea and Japan, while they were humbled at their home World Cup in 2014, losing 7-1 in the semi-finals to eventual champions Germany.

However, Brazil appear to have put that heartache behind them and Tite, who succeeded Dunga as national team manager in June 2016, believes his side must be regarded as one of the favourites to secure overall glory next summer.

“Brazil are a favourite at the World Cup,” the 56-year-old said. “By the football presented, the campaign completed, by level, performance plus results… Brazil are one of the teams, yes.”

Despite his confidence, Tite acknowledged that there will be a number of other strong nations at the finals and he has tipped European heavyweights France and Germany to go far.

He added: “I have said that France are at a very strong level too. Rising players like [Kylian] Mbappe, [Alexandre] Lacazette, [Antoine] Griezmann.

Look at the offensive trio. And there is also world champions Germany.” Brazil are priced at 7.00 to win the World Cup, while France are available at 6.50 and Germany are on offer at 6.00.