Carlo Ancelotti is the new Brazil national team coach. The former Real Madrid coach has now announced his first squad.
“I am very proud to lead the best team in the world. I have a big task ahead of me and I have high hopes that Brazil will become world champions again,” said Ancelotti, who was presented as Brazil’s new national coach in mid-May, at his inaugural press conference in Rio de Janeiro, where he also named his team for the first time on Monday.
“The only goal is to win the 2026 World Cup,” Ancelotti explained. Despite all its problems, record world champion Brazil could secure its ticket to the finals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada ahead of schedule in its upcoming matches against Ecuador (June 5) and Paraguay (June 10).
The injury-prone Neymar, who has not been in the squad for two years, is not in the Selecao squad. However, the new coach emphasized that he would “of course” be counting on Neymar in the future. Midfielder Casemiro of Manchester United, on the other hand, returned to the squad.
Brazil currently in 4th place
Brazil is only in fourth place after 14 games in the World Cup qualifiers in South America. The top six teams qualify for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. The seventh-placed team will take part in the intercontinental play-offs. With four matchdays remaining in the qualifiers, the five-time world champions still have a comfortable six-point lead over seventh-placed Venezuela.
In their first two games under Ancelotti, the Brazilians now want to take what could be decisive steps towards the final. “It’s a big responsibility for me to win the sixth World Cup trophy with the country,” said the man with the distinctive eyebrow.
The squad at a glance:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool FC), Bento (Al-Nassr), Hugo Souza (Corinthians)
Defense: Alexandro Ribeiro (Lille), Lucas Beraldo (PSG), Marquinhos (PSG), Leo Ortiz (Flamengo), Danilo (Flamengo), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan), Wesley (Flamengo), Vanderson (Monaco)
Midfield: Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg), Casemiro (Manchester United), Ederson (Atalanta), Gerson (Flamengo)
Forwards: Estevao (Palmeiras), Antony (Real Betis), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (FC Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham)