Who’s up and who’s down in Brazil after the international break? Comment 🗣

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·1. April 2026

Who’s up and who’s down in Brazil after the international break? Comment 🗣

The last FIFA international break before the 2026 World Cup ended this Tuesday (31), with Brazil’s 3-1 win over Croatia.

Before their tournament debut on June 13 against Morocco, Brazil will still face Panama on May 31 at the Maracanã, and Egypt on June 6, already on U.S. soil.

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However, coach Carlo Ancelotti’s final squad list must be submitted to FIFA on May 18.

The Italian manager has already confirmed that Flamengo center-back Danilo is guaranteed a spot at the World Cup.

That leaves 25 spots still up for grabs to represent Brazil in the hunt for a record-extending sixth world title.

For the March friendlies against France (1-2) and Croatia (3-1), Ancelotti called up these players:

Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza* (Corinthians), Bento (Al-Nassr) and Ederson (Fenerbahçe)
Defenders: Kaiki (Cruzeiro)*, Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Vitor Reis (Girona)* and Wesley (Roma)
Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad) and Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), João Pedro (Chelsea), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth) and Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

* called up in place of Liverpool’s Alisson, Flamengo’s Alex Sandro, and Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães.

Wesley and Raphinha, meanwhile, were ruled out after the defeat to France, but were not replaced.

With that in mind, OneFootball picked out who did well and who did poorly during the FIFA international break, moving them closer to or further away from the World Cup.

Check it out below and HAVE YOUR SAY!

👍 Did well

Defenders: Marquinhos is the captain, and Bremer was the “one bright spot” in the defeat to France. Ibañez “didn’t put a foot wrong” against Croatia.
Midfielders: Casemiro is Ancelotti’s “trusted man,” and Fabinho also “did the basics” against Croatia. Danilo Santos, meanwhile, was named man of the match and has “one foot” in the World Cup.
Forwards: While Vini Jr has Ancelotti’s full backing, as does Raphinha, who is only “under threat” because of the injury he suffered against France, Luiz Henrique and Endrick showed the Italian coach that they can make the difference in the race for the long-awaited sixth star on the shirt.

👎 Did poorly

Goalkeepers: Bento and Ederson failed to convince once again. Hugo Souza, meanwhile, was not even tested.
Defenders: Wesley and Douglas Santos were well below par against France. Center-back Léo Pereira was also heavily criticized for his display against the reigning world runners-up. Vitor Reis was not tested.
Midfielders: Andrey Santos once again failed to seize the opportunity given to him by Ancelotti. Gabriel Sara was also “quiet” in his first call-up.
Forwards: Matheus Cunha, João Pedro and Gabriel Martinelli (despite his goal) left a lot to be desired and could “pay dearly” by losing their place in the World Cup squad. Rayan saw little action, as did Igor Thiago, who at least managed to leave his mark against Croatia.

Announced on May 12, 2025 as the new Brazil head coach, replacing Dorival Júnior, Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti had 10 matches (5W, 3L and 2D) to “find” his ideal team for the 2026 World Cup.

Overall, these were the players called up by Carlo Ancelotti: