Ancelotti still unsure about final Brazil squad for Copa | OneFootball

Coach Carlo Ancelotti still has doubts about the Brazilian National Team for the final list for the World Cup. On Monday, the Italian called up Brazil for friendlies against France and Croatia in the United States, and said he already has “17 or 18” players guaranteed for the World Cup.

One of the areas where Ancelotti still plans to run tests is the midfield. He believes the National Team has many options for attack, but few for the midfield. That’s why he decided to give a chance to Danilo, from Botafogo, and Gabriel Sara, formerly of São Paulo and currently playing for Galatasaray.

Additionally, the coach is concerned about the full-back positions. On the right side, he called up Wesley, from Roma, and Danilo, from Flamengo. On the left, the chosen ones were Douglas Santos, from Zenit, and Alex Sandro, also from Flamengo.

“There are 17 or 18 players who are already guaranteed for the World Cup. Everyone knows the structure of the team. We have many options for attack, a bit fewer for midfield, and even fewer for the two full-back positions. I called up two midfielders who are doing very well, Danilo and Gabriel Sara,” said Ancelotti in a press conference at CBF headquarters.

Ancelotti also says he has doubts in attack and defense. For the offensive sector, two new faces were called up: Igor Thiago, from Brentford, and Rayan, from Bournemouth. Neymar, from Santos, was left out.

As for the defense, only two names are certain: Marquinhos, from Paris Saint-Germain, and Gabriel Magalhães, from Arsenal. The spots for substitutes are still open. For the next FIFA date, Ancelotti decided to take Bremer, from Juventus, Léo Pereira, from Flamengo, and Ibañez, from Al-Ahli – Éder Militão, from Real Madrid, is injured.

“I have doubts in defense, midfield, and some doubts up front. We have to be concerned about possible injuries and be very focused on evaluating all the players,” he commented.

Paquetá under observation

Midfielder Lucas Paquetá was left out of the list, but is still being monitored by Ancelotti. “Players who are not here today may be on the final call-up. Paquetá, for example, could very well be on the final list,” said the coach.

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This will be Ancelotti’s last opportunity to run tests with the Brazilian National Team before finalizing the list for the World Cup.

Brazil will face current World Cup runner-up France on March 26 (Thursday), at 5pm (Brasília time), at Gillette Stadium in Boston. The match against Croatia will be on the 31st (Tuesday), starting at 9pm, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Upcoming matches for the Brazilian National Team

Schedule until the World Cup

The list for the Brazilian National Team for the 2026 World Cup will be announced by Carlo Ancelotti on May 18. On the 25th, the group will begin preparations for the World Cup at Granja Comary, in Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro.

The last match for the Seleção on home soil will be on May 31, against Panama, at Maracanã. The team will travel to the United States on June 1 and will have one last test before the start of the World Cup, against Egypt, in Cleveland, on the 6th.

The Brazilian National Team is in Group C of the World Cup. The group also includes Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland.

Brazil’s debut will be on June 13, against Morocco, in New Jersey. Six days later, on June 19, the team will face Haiti in Philadelphia. The Seleção will finish its group stage participation on the 24th, against Scotland, in Miami.

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