Ancelotti urges calm, youth focus for Brazil before Copa, World Cup

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CBF

·9 September 2026

Ancelotti urges calm, youth focus for Brazil before Copa, World Cup

Carlo Ancelotti named the national team squad for friendlies against Australia and IndiaCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke about “prioritizing young players” and “calmness” after announcing this Wednesday (9) the Brazil national team squad for the friendlies against Australia and India. In a press conference, he highlighted the presence of new faces in the Seleção and the time he will have to work with the team.

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“This is a balanced squad, with players who were at the World Cup. It will be important for the next generation. We have young players who have the quality to represent the national team in the future, in the coming years, and also players who are performing very well in the Brazilian Championship. We have to prioritize young players who will be the right age for the next World Cup, or the next Copa América,” he said.

“Now we have time to do things more calmly, with peace of mind, and evaluate everyone properly. The idea is very clear: to bring in a new generation of footballers. We can do this work without rushing, making the best decision for the future (...)”, he added.

Of the 26 selected players, eight are first-time call-ups: goalkeepers Pedro Morisco (Coritiba) and Otávio (Cruzeiro), center-backs Jair Cunha (Nottingham Forest) and Arthur Dias (Athletico-PR), full-backs Mauro Júnior (PSV Eindhoven) and Matheuzinho (Corinthians), and midfielders Breno Bidon (Corinthians) and Gabriel Bontempo (Santos).

The squad also includes more experienced names in the Brazil national team, among them Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Bruno Guimarães, Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha. According to Ancelotti, they will play an active role in the transition from one generation to another because of their “commitment, seriousness and professionalism.”

“I chose these players — Marquinhos, Gabriel, Bruno, Vini, Raphinha — to help with this generational change. They are very important players for the future, and we are sure that, through their commitment, seriousness and professionalism, they will help the group of young players improve and prepare for the upcoming competitions,” he concluded.

Carlo Ancelotti named the national team squad for friendlies against Australia and IndiaCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

In its first matches after the World Cup, Brazil will face Australia in friendlies on September 25 and 29. The first will be held at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville at 7 a.m. (Brasília time), and the second at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, also at 7 a.m. (Brasília time).

Next, the Seleção will take on India in a first-ever match between the two national teams. The clash will take place on October 3 at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium (known as Salt Lake) in Kolkata at 11 a.m. (Brasília time).