The Selecao return to action in October when they open South America’s marathon qualification process against Copa America winners Chile in Santiago before then hosting Venzuela.Two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo has warned Dunga’s charges that they face the Selecao’s greatest ever challenge in a 10-team group without a single minnow.
“From what we’ve seen in the last few tournaments, this is going to be one of the most keenly contested qualifying competitions of recent times,” Ronaldo told Fifa at the World Cup draw in Russia.
“It’s always been tough in South America but there’s even less to choose between the teams this time around.”
The top four sides qualify automatically while the fifth-placed nation will face a play-off against a team from Oceania, but Ronaldo is confident Dunga can lead Brazil to one of the top slots.
“I think Argentina, Brazil and Chile will go through, with Uruguay and Colombia fighting it out for the last place. I don’t think there’ll be anyone else in the running,” he said.
“Based on their last few games and their performance at the Copa America where they really underperformed, I think Brazil will struggle a bit to begin with.”
Brazil exited last month’s Copa America at the quarter-final stage after suffering a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay.
“The qualifiers will provide us with a chance to get a squad together for the World Cup,” Ronaldo added.
“The players who come out well from the qualifying campaign will be in confident mood for Russia and will make up a solid team.”
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