Carlo Ancelotti has named his first Brazil squad, and fans are shocked—Neymar is not included! The coach has chosen fresh talent and made bold decisions. This could signal a new era for Brazilian football. Who made the list?
Ancelotti Begins His Journey as Brazil’s New Coach
Famous Italian football coach Carlo Ancelotti has officially started his new role as the manager of Brazil’s national football team. Ancelotti is known for winning major titles with top clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea, and AC Milan. Now, he is ready to take on the challenge of leading Brazil.
Ancelotti arrived in Brazil just one day ago and quickly got to work. Today, he announced his first squad of 26 players for Brazil’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
Neymar Left Out, Casemiro Makes a Comeback
One of the biggest surprises in Ancelotti’s first team list is the absence of Neymar. The Brazilian superstar is still recovering from an injury and will not play in the next two matches.
Another major talking point is the return of Casemiro, the 33-year-old midfielder who plays for Manchester United. He hasn’t played for Brazil in nearly a year, but Ancelotti has brought him back for his experience and leadership.
Speaking at his first press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Ancelotti said:
“I am proud to be in charge of the best team in the world. There is a lot of work ahead, but I hope Brazil becomes champions again.”
Brazil’s Upcoming Matches and World Cup Hopes
Brazil will face two important opponents next month in the World Cup qualifiers:
- June 5 – Brazil vs. Ecuador
- June 10 – Brazil vs. Paraguay
Brazil is currently in fourth place in the South American World Cup qualifying table, with 21 points from 14 matches.
The top 6 teams in the group will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The team in 7th place will still have a chance to qualify through the intercontinental play-offs.
Full List of Brazil’s 26-Man Squad
Here is the full list of players picked by Ancelotti for the two upcoming qualifiers:
Goalkeepers
- Alisson (Liverpool)
- Bento (Al-Nassr)
- Ugo Souza (Corinthians)
Defenders
- Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Ortiz, Wesley (all from Flamengo)
- Beraldo, Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Alexandre (Lille)
- Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan)
- Vandersson (Monaco)
Midfielders
- Andreas Pereira (Fulham)
- Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United)
- Andre Santos (Strasbourg)
- Casemiro (Manchester United)
- Ederson (Atalanta)
- Gerson (Flamengo)
Forwards
- Estevao (Palmeiras)
- Antony (Real Betis)
- Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
- Matheus Cunha (Wolves)
- Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
- Raphinha (Barcelona)
- Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur)
A Fresh Start for Brazil Under Ancelotti
This is a new beginning for Brazil’s national team, and fans are excited to see what Ancelotti can bring. With stars like Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Gabriel Martinelli leading the attack, and experienced players like Casemiro returning, the team has a mix of youth and experience.
Even though Neymar is missing, Brazil still has plenty of talent to perform well in the upcoming matches. Ancelotti’s leadership and winning mindset could be just what the team needs to become champions again.
