Newly appointed Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has officially announced his first squad since taking charge of the Seleção, with some big names notably missing. Superstars Neymar and Rodrygo are both left out due to injury concerns, while experienced midfielder Casemiro and winger Antony have been recalled to the national team fold.
Neymar and Rodrygo Miss Out, Key Qualifiers Ahead
Brazil are set to face Ecuador away on June 6, followed by a home fixture against Paraguay on June 11 in the CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Seleção currently sit fourth in the South American standings with 21 points after 14 games. With the top six teams earning direct qualification, every match is crucial.
When asked about Neymar’s omission, Ancelotti was candid: “I’ve spoken with him. He’s not at full fitness yet. I’m only selecting players who are currently in strong form and physically ready.” Rodrygo, meanwhile, requested to be excused from this round due to an ongoing injury, a request Ancelotti respected.
Despite the absence of these two attacking stars, the Brazil squad remains packed with European-based talent, including Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli, and Marquinhos, all of whom bring experience and quality to the team.
Ancelotti, Brazil’s First Foreign Head Coach in 60 Years, Sets Sights on World Cup Glory
Ancelotti’s appointment marks a historic shift, and he is the first non-Brazilian to coach the national team in six decades. With an illustrious coaching career spanning AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and other notable clubs, the Italian tactician brings vast experience and a winning pedigree.
“I’m proud to lead what many believe is the most talented footballing nation in the world,” said Ancelotti during a press conference. “There’s only one goal: win the World Cup next year.”
In a symbolic gesture, Luiz Felipe Scolari, the man who guided Brazil to their last World Cup triumph in 2002, was present to hand Ancelotti the iconic yellow jacket of the Seleção, a passing of the torch from legend to legend.
Brazil’s Coaching Carousel: A New Chapter Begins
Since their disappointing 2022 World Cup campaign, Brazil has gone through a turbulent period marked by coaching changes. After a crushing 1-4 defeat to arch-rivals Argentina in March’s qualifier, then-manager Fernando Diniz was dismissed, making way for Ancelotti, the team’s fourth head coach in just two years.
Brazil remains the most successful nation in World Cup history with five titles, but recent performances have failed to match their storied past. The 2014 home World Cup still haunts fans, with the humiliating 7-1 semifinal loss to Germany standing as a painful memory.
Now, with Ancelotti at the helm, fans are daring to dream once again. The road to a historic sixth World Cup title, “Hexa,” has officially begun.
