'We aren't the big favourites': Casemiro relishing Brazil's role as World Cup underdogs

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brazil/I9l9aqLq/"]Brazil[/a], who are looking to win a record-extending sixth ‌World Cup title, find themselves trailing European ‌champions [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a], 2018 World Cup winners [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]‌England[/a] in the bookmakers' odds for the June ‌11 to July 19 tournament in North America.[/p][p][b]"We aren’t the big favourites,"[/b] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/casemiro/Ukeq3c0b/"]Casemiro[/a] told FIFA's media ‌channel after Brazil arrived in the ⁠U.S. on Tuesday.[b] "Of ‌course, we’re in good shape; we’ve got a strong ​squad, with a mix of experience and young talent."[/b][/p][p]"Perhaps this time we’re a ​step behind, but we’re on our toes and that’s always a good thing. We want ⁠to go there ​in good shape and have a great World Cup.”[/p][embed guid="0b9a198b-0602-4d56-ad91-920c63f0534d" url="https://x.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/2039209000546238791" social-type="twitter" /][p]The 34-year-old said Brazil had had a "difficult cycle" in the build-up to the World Cup, with ‌the Brazilian Football Confederation appointing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ancelotti-carlo/nZQG5IgJ/"]Carlo Ancelotti[/a] as coach and naming a new president last year.[/p][p][b]“It has been a difficult cycle with a change of manager, a change of president and a lot of turmoil," [/b]he added.[/p][p]"We have only had one year working with the manager, who has excellent experience in football, ‌but in reality we have only worked together ​for 40 days. I think we will ‌go into the tournament in strong form.[/p][p][b]"We have quality players, experienced players, energetic players and young players. I think we have a good mix for this competition."[/b][/p][p]Brazil will ⁠face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/morocco/IDKYO3R8/"]Morocco[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/haiti/nk4v10Z1/"]Haiti[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/scotland/fZRU25WH/"]⁠Scotland[/a] in Group ‌C.[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/brazil-I9l9aqLq/morocco-IDKYO3R8/?mid=b5JayTEd"]Follow Brazil's World Cup opener against Morocco next weekend[/a][/b].[/p]