What Ancelotti is building in Rio
Carlo Ancelotti is set to reveal Brazil’s final 26-man roster in Rio de Janeiro, and the decision carries serious weight. After delivering a preliminary 55-player submission to FIFA, he now has to turn a wide pool into a compact squad with one target: a sixth World Cup crown.
This will be Ancelotti’s first major tournament in charge of the Selecao, and expectations are immediate. Brazil has not won the World Cup since 2002, and the team has repeatedly stalled in the quarterfinals. The challenge now is finding the right blend of control, speed, and tournament experience.
The players who look safe
Several names appear close to guaranteed selection based on reporting from major Brazilian and international outlets. The structure of the squad seems to be forming around a stable spine.
- Goalkeeper: Alisson remains the clear first choice, with Ederson as the main backup.
- Center backs: Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes are expected to anchor the defense.
- Midfield core: Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, and Lucas Paqueta offer balance and experience.
- Attack: Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, and Gabriel Martinelli headline the forward group.
Wesley is widely projected to handle right back duties, while Alex Sandro looks like the preferred option on the left side.
Likely squad pillars
| Area | Likely names | Why they matter |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeping | Alisson, Ederson | Reliability and elite shot stopping |
| Defense | Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bremer | Experience, physicality, and depth |
| Midfield | Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Paqueta | Ball recovery and progression |
| Attack | Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Martinelli | One-on-one threat and pace |
Injuries that changed the picture
Brazil’s selection has been altered by several major absences. These injuries do more than remove talent; they also force Ancelotti to adjust the shape of the roster.
- Rodrygo: ruled out after knee ligament surgery and a recovery period expected to last about six months.
- Estevao Willian: sidelined by a serious muscle injury suffered against Manchester United.
- Eder Militao: unavailable because of a longer-term knee problem.
With those losses, Brazil’s attacking depth has thinned, and the defensive rotation has also become more complicated. That shift has made room for a major storyline around one familiar name.
The Neymar decision
Neymar is still in the conversation despite not playing for Brazil since his ACL and meniscus injury against Uruguay in October 2023. At 34, he remains the country’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, and his recent form for Santos has kept him in the spotlight.
Reports suggest Ancelotti is leaning toward including him in the final squad. The logic is straightforward: Brazil has lost key attackers, and Neymar still offers creativity that few others in the pool can match.
If he makes the cut, Joao Pedro becomes the most likely casualty despite a strong season in England.
Brazil’s Group C schedule
Brazil opens in Group C against Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. On paper, it is a manageable path, especially compared with some of the tougher draws in recent tournament cycles.
- June 13: Brazil vs. Morocco at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
- June 19 or 20: Brazil vs. Haiti at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
- June 25 or 26: Scotland vs. Brazil at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Morocco is the only opponent in the group that sits near the top tier of FIFA rankings, which makes a first-place finish a realistic goal. Winning the group would also set up a Round of 32 match against a third-place team from another group.
What the likely lineup looks like
Based on Ancelotti’s recent friendlies, Brazil could line up in either a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3. The shape will probably depend on whether Neymar is included and how much freedom the wide players receive.
Projected XI: Alisson; Wesley, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes; Raphinha, Lucas Paqueta, Vinicius Junior; Matheus Cunha or Igor Thiago.
If Neymar is selected, he could either compete with Paqueta as the central creator or operate as a false nine behind Vinicius Junior.
The bigger goal
This squad is built to end a long drought. Brazil enters the tournament with strong individual talent, a respected manager, and a group stage that offers a path to build momentum early. The pressure is obvious, but so is the opportunity.
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