A Brazilian family are hoping for a date with destiny in Doha, with tickets to the World Cup final already in the bag — as long as their home heroes make it to the title-decider.
Dubai residents Eduardo Contreiras, his wife Marcia and children Marina, 17, and Lucca, 13, have even more reason to cheer on the Samba boys as they embark on their quest for a record-extending sixth triumph.
They have precious seats for the showpiece occasion on December 18, provided on the condition that their national side makes it through.
The family will definitely be present to see their favourites in action against Cameroon at the Lusail stadium on December 2 and hope to be back a little more than two weeks later.
A previous World Cup clash between the two sides occurred during the 2014 tournament, with Brazil romping to a 4-1 win thanks to two goals from Neymar and one each from Fred and Fernandinho.
Enduring love for the beautiful game
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HOW BRAZIL QUALIFIED FOR WORLD CUP 2022: October 9, 2020. Brazil 5 (Marquinhos 16', Firmino 30', 49', Carrasco og 66', Coutinho 73') Bolivia 0: Brazil were up and running in style with Roberto Firmino and Phillipe Coutinho among the scorers in a rout of Bolivia. "There's always room for improvement, what's important is getting used to playing together," Brazil captain Casemiro said. "We'll adapt better as we play more games. That's what is important. We deserve congratulations today." Getty -
October 13, 2020. Peru 2 (Carrillo 6', Tapia 59') Brazil 4 (Neymar pen 28', pen 83', 90 + 2', Richarlison 64'): Neymar hit a hat-trick to reach 64 goals for Brazil and move second behind Pele in their all-time top goalscorer list, moving ahead of Ronaldo in a match that saw two Peru players sent off late on. Manager Tite said of Neymar: "He's a player who both makes and takes chances. And he gets better and better, and more mature." Getty -
November 13, 2020. Brazil 1 (Firmino 66') Venezuela 0: Three wins on the spin for Brazil but a far from convincing performance in Sao Paulo, with a team missing the likes of Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Fabinho. "We were able to compete and do them damage for a while,” said Venezuelan midfielder Luis Mago. “We made one mistake and paid a heavy price for it." AFP -
November 17, 2020. Uruguay 0 Brazil 2 (Arthur 33', Richarlison 45'): First-half goals from Arthur and Richarlison maintained Covid and injury-hit Brazil's 100 per cent record against a Uruguay team they had not lost against since 2001. Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani was shown a straight red for a challenge on Richarlison following a VAR review. EPA -
June 4, 2021. Brazil 2 (Richarlison 65' Neymar pen 90+4') Ecuador 0: Brazil made it five wins from five in a comfortable victory. The match was overshadowed by players and manager Tite being unhappy about Brazil hosting the upcoming Copa America as people were being killed by Covid in large numbers. Asked whether he could leave the job, Tite said: "You can raise any hypothesis, I only ask you to be careful. I will express it when it matters. Not now. This was a tough match against Ecuador." Getty -
June 8, 2021. Paraguay 0 Brazil 2 (Neymar 4' Paqueta 90+3'): Brazil had not beaten Paraguay away from home since 1985 but an early goal from Neymar and a late one from Paqueta ended that run to make it six wins from six. “We knew how hard it is to come here,” defender Marquinhos said. “We’re delighted to open up a gap with the second-placed team in the table.” EPA -
September 2, 2021. Chile 0 Brazil 1 (Ribeiro 64'): Everton Ribeiro came off the bench to secure a barely deserved victory for Tite's men, who had Gabriel Jesus sent off for an atrocious kung-fu-style challenge on Eugenio Mena. Neymar said: "Chile are a good team, they have great players and it is very difficult with a man less. Everyone deserves praise, the defence, the midfield, the forwards. It was a big test for us." AP -
September 5, 2021. Brazil v Argentina (match abandoned): Chaotic scenes as the match was called-off after five minutes when Brazilian health officials invaded the pitch to stop Argentina's England-based players from playing, saying they had breached the country's Covid-19 quarantine rules. “They had 72 hours before the match. They had to do it at the time of the match.” Tite shouted at officials on the pitch. Reuters -
September 9, 2021. Brazil 2 (Ribeiro 15', Neymar 40') Peru 0: The ninth home qualifier in a row in which Brazil kept a clean sheet, and their eighth win from eight Qatar 2022 qualifiers. "These three games we lacked a lot of players that meant others had a chance and they stepped up," said captain Casemiro. "I think we are on the right track." AFP -
![October 7, 2021. Venezuela 1 (Ramirez 11') Brazil 3 (Marquinhos 71', Barbosa pen 85', Antony 90 + 5'): Three second-half goals saw Brazil recover from a goal down and maintain their 100 per cent record, extending their lead at the top of qualifying to eight points. "It was a complicated match, we started well below [the level] we are accustomed to," Marquinhos said. "It's hard to get a result but results are what count." Reuters](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/P6BLUIOW2N34RREVI2WJQ4PQDY.jpg?smart=true&auth=89b2608581549ad39b781b6869823a23ebaeb9bbf32a8fc2e4f8f13c7acd1251&width=400&height=225)
October 7, 2021. Venezuela 1 (Ramirez 11') Brazil 3 (Marquinhos 71', Barbosa pen 85', Antony 90 + 5'): Three second-half goals saw Brazil recover from a goal down and maintain their 100 per cent record, extending their lead at the top of qualifying to eight points. "It was a complicated match, we started well below [the level] we are accustomed to," Marquinhos said. "It's hard to get a result but results are what count." Reuters -
October 10, 2021. Colombia 0 Brazil 0: The winning run comes to an end but Brazil remain on track for Qatar. Tite came to the defence of Neymar after the game. "He is an exceptional player because he makes exceptional plays, he does it exceptionally and not ordinarily," Brazil's coach said. "He is a special player, we know it. And he was also well marked, sometimes by two players." EPA -
October 14, 2021. Brazil 4 (Neymar 10', Raphinha 18', 58', Barbosa 83') Uruguay 1 (Suarez 77'): Leeds winger Raphinha grabbed a double as Brazil cruised to an impressive victory. "This couldn't be more memorable for me," Raphinha said. "This is me fulfilling my childhood dream. It's so gratifying to score. It's going to be very difficult to forget this night." AFP -
![November 11, 2021. Brazil 1 (Paqueta 72') Colombia 0: Three points for Brazil saw them become the first South American team to qualify for Qatar. The game also marked their 10th consecutive home qualifier without conceding a goal. “I cried of happiness [after scoring] because of this moment I am living at the national team and at my club Lyon. This came from a lot of joy, joy for this work well done," Lucas Paqueta said.](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/GSL7VTILZNB4247EOH66T3MB3Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=b8f5ab48ceb7a7dcda4ef87c51790c35e461461775bc87b783159cf2425e338a&width=400&height=225)
November 11, 2021. Brazil 1 (Paqueta 72') Colombia 0: Three points for Brazil saw them become the first South American team to qualify for Qatar. The game also marked their 10th consecutive home qualifier without conceding a goal. “I cried of happiness [after scoring] because of this moment I am living at the national team and at my club Lyon. This came from a lot of joy, joy for this work well done," Lucas Paqueta said. -
November 16, 2021. Argentina 0 Brazil 0: Argentina joined Brazil in Qatar after this draw. Brazil coach Tite felt Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi should have been punished for elbowing winger Raphinha. "It is impossible not to see Otamendi's elbow on Raphinha. A high quality VAR official cannot work this way," he said. "It's inconceivable. Inconceivable is not the word I want to use. I am using that word because I am polite." AFP -
January 27, 2022. Ecuador 1 (Torres 75') Brazil 1 (Casemiro 6'): Goalkeeper Alisson Becker was sent off twice only for the VAR to rescind both red cards in this draw. Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez was dismissed, though, as was Brazil full-back Emerson Royal. Alisson said: "If there was no VAR, today we would be unfairly penalised for several situations on the pitch. I touched the ball, that's evident to everyone." Getty -
February 1, 2022. Brazil 4 (Raphinha 28', Coutinho 62', Antony 86', Rodrygo 88') Paraguay 0: Brazil scored twice in the last four minutes, including a first international goal for Real Madrid striker Rodrygo, to seal an easy win. The win extended to 61 matches their unbeaten home record in World Cup qualifiers and ended Paraguay's hopes of reaching Qatar. AFP -
March 24, 2022. Brazil 4 (Neymar pen 44', Vinicius Junior 45'+1', Coutinho pen 72', Richarlison 90'+1') Chile 0: Former Flamengo player Vinicius Junior celebrated a return to the Maracana stadium with his first international goal. "At the Maracana with my family, there was nowhere better to score my first international goal," he said. "I'm very happy. It's our last game in Brazil before the World Cup and we are going to thank the fans." AFP -
![Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Bolivia 0 Brazil 4 (Paqueta 24', Richarlison 45', 90'+1', Guimaraes 66'): A superb performance from Brazil meant Tite's team reached 45 points, a new World Cup qualifying record. "Yes, [the team exceeded] any expectations I could have on the performance, in both qualitative and quantitative terms," Tite said. AP](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/2HYJW3FKSIK4CS363ZVLWPD74A.jpg?smart=true&auth=e705cf1406a5fee3121be04e6586bd71628ff5b78882727e99df56ef5754d78f&width=400&height=225)
Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Bolivia 0 Brazil 4 (Paqueta 24', Richarlison 45', 90'+1', Guimaraes 66'): A superb performance from Brazil meant Tite's team reached 45 points, a new World Cup qualifying record. "Yes, [the team exceeded] any expectations I could have on the performance, in both qualitative and quantitative terms," Tite said. AP
![October 7, 2021. Venezuela 1 (Ramirez 11') Brazil 3 (Marquinhos 71', Barbosa pen 85', Antony 90 + 5'): Three second-half goals saw Brazil recover from a goal down and maintain their 100 per cent record, extending their lead at the top of qualifying to eight points. "It was a complicated match, we started well below [the level] we are accustomed to," Marquinhos said. "It's hard to get a result but results are what count." Reuters](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/P6BLUIOW2N34RREVI2WJQ4PQDY.jpg?smart=true&auth=89b2608581549ad39b781b6869823a23ebaeb9bbf32a8fc2e4f8f13c7acd1251&width=800&height=450)
![November 11, 2021. Brazil 1 (Paqueta 72') Colombia 0: Three points for Brazil saw them become the first South American team to qualify for Qatar. The game also marked their 10th consecutive home qualifier without conceding a goal. “I cried of happiness [after scoring] because of this moment I am living at the national team and at my club Lyon. This came from a lot of joy, joy for this work well done," Lucas Paqueta said.](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/GSL7VTILZNB4247EOH66T3MB3Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=b8f5ab48ceb7a7dcda4ef87c51790c35e461461775bc87b783159cf2425e338a&width=800&height=450)
![Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Bolivia 0 Brazil 4 (Paqueta 24', Richarlison 45', 90'+1', Guimaraes 66'): A superb performance from Brazil meant Tite's team reached 45 points, a new World Cup qualifying record. "Yes, [the team exceeded] any expectations I could have on the performance, in both qualitative and quantitative terms," Tite said. AP](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/2HYJW3FKSIK4CS363ZVLWPD74A.jpg?smart=true&auth=e705cf1406a5fee3121be04e6586bd71628ff5b78882727e99df56ef5754d78f&width=800&height=450)
“Like most Brazilians, we are all passionate football fans, even though my kids did not grow up in Brazil,” said Mr Contreiras.
“The World Cup reminds me of childhood, family and of good times. The country would come to a standstill while matches were on and we would not go to work or school.
“Families would get together so the World Cup is magical, a moment in time to stop and enjoy football together.
“Having the chance to go together as a family is a dream.
“As we are in Dubai and Qatar is just a short flight away, it makes it so much easier for us — we are just happy to be in the region to share a cool experience.”
The family will be travelling on one of the flydubai shuttle flights and stopping off at a friend’s home in Qatar to rest up after the matches before heading back to Dubai.
Although Mr Contreiras attended the Germany World Cup in 2006, watching Brazil beat Japan, this will be his first tournament with his family.
So far, he has spent Dh25,000 on tickets and travel.
“I heard some great stories from our family members who went to the Brazil World Cup and said it was a great experience, they made new friends and had a good time,” said Mr Contreiras.
“I feel the best experience of a World Cup is in Europe, with such as great history of the game and so many nations being close by.
“Latin America is also a great host because of the tradition and passion for the sport.
“But it is important to spread that around to other regions, and the Middle East has been growing its interest in football.”
The unifying power of sport
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Brazil's Lucas Paqueta celebrates after scoring against Colombia during the South American qualifier at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on November 11, 2021. The 1-0 win secured Brazil's qualification to the 2022 World Cup. AFP -
Brazil's Lucas Paqueta, centre, celebrates with teammates Vinicius Junior and Neymar after scoring against Colombia. AFP -
Brazil's Lucas Paqueta celebrates scoring. AP Photo -
Brazil's Lucas Paqueta in action with Colombia's Gustavo Cuellar. Reuters -
Colombia's Juan Cuadrado and Brazil's Lucas Paqueta vie for the ball. AFP -
Lucas Paqueta and Neymar of Brazil celebrate. EPA -
Brazil's Neymar confronts Colombia's Miguel Angel Borja. AFP -
Brazil's Neymar falls during the South American qualifier against Colombia. AFP -
Brazil's Neymar. AFP -
Brazil's Neymar vies for the ball with Colombia's Jefferson Lerma, left, and Davinson Sanchez. AP Photo -
A pitch invader is seen holding Brazil's Neymar after the match. Reuters -
Brazil coach Tite. Reuters -
Brazil's Vinicius Junior and Colombia's goalkeeper David Ospina vie for the ball. AFP -
Brazil's Cunha and Colombia's Davinson Sanchez vie for the ball. AFP -
Colombia's Yairo Moreno in action. Reuters -
Brazil's Gabriel Jesus in action with Colombia's Yairo Moreno. Reuters -
Brazil's Raphinha and Colombia's Juan Cuadrado vie for the ball. AFP -
Colombia's Duvan Zapata in action with Brazil's Thiago Silva. Reuters -
Colombia's Juan Cuadrado and Brazil's Gabriel Jesus vie for the ball. AFP -
Colombia coach Reinaldo Rueda. Reuters -
Brazil's Fred and Colombia's Yairo Moreno vie for the ball. Reuters
Mr Contreiras is looking forward to catching up with friends travelling from around the globe for the sporting spectacle.
“I have friends here going to the same games, or are travelling in from the US and Brazil,” he said.
“We will all meet up and it is great so many people are coming through Dubai, so we can watch games together.
“Sport is one of the most important things in our global culture, it brings us together. We may have different teams, but we all have the same goals.
“I was lucky to get tickets through the lottery system so paid face value and got a conditional ticket for the final if Brazil gets there.
“I can only imagine what that will be like.”
