Ancelotti ‘rejects’ Vini Jr dependence, backs team play for World Cup

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·13. Mai 2026

Ancelotti ‘rejects’ Vini Jr dependence, backs team play for World Cup

Vini Jr is on Brazil’s preliminary squad list for the World Cup

A product of Flamengo, Vinicius Júnior is one of Brazil’s biggest hopes for the World Cup. Wearing the No. 10 shirt during the last FIFA international window, the Real Madrid (Spain) star will try to win the first world title of his career. Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti was candid about the weight the player carries in ‘leading’ the ‘Seleção’.

The responsibility he carries for Brazil is enormous, especially in recent times. That responsibility can be a burden for him. Our job with the national team is to ease that weight a little so he can play with joy, energy, and all the qualities he has. I see Vinicius the same way I saw him at Real Madrid: a spectacular player and a spectacular person who can decide a match on his own. He will be very important for Brazil at the World Cup. But being number 1? The star? We don’t need a number 1. We can’t put all the focus on just one player. We need to think as a team. That is the only way to win the World Cup,” Ancelotti said in an interview with ‘The Guardian’.

Does Flamengo have a player guaranteed at the World Cup?

Yes! During an interview in the last FIFA international window, on March 30, Carlo Ancelotti announced that Danilo will be included in Brazil’s final squad list for the 2026 World Cup.

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In addition, six other Flamengo players were included in Brazil’s preliminary squad. They are: Alex Sandro, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Lucas Paquetá, Pedro and Samuel Lino. Thus, the players are now waiting for Carlo Ancelotti’s final call-up.

When is Brazil’s final squad announcement?

It is worth noting that Brazil’s official World Cup squad announcement will take place on May 18. Thus, head coach Carlo Ancelotti will begin preparing the squad on the 25th of the same month, while the trip to the United States will be on June 1.

What is Brazil’s group at the 2026 World Cup?

Currently fifth in the FIFA national team rankings, Brazil is the top seed in Group C. As a result, the ‘Seleção’ will face Morocco, Scotland and Haiti in the group stage of the World Cup. The ‘Canarinho’ will make its debut against the Moroccans on June 13.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.