Hugo Souza on Ancelotti's shortlist, could return to Brazil squad | OneFootball

Corinthians could have more than one representative in the next Brazil national team call-up. In addition to Breno Bidon, goalkeeper Hugo Souza is among the players included in the preliminary list put together by Carlo Ancelotti for the upcoming FIFA international window, scheduled between late September and early October. The information was first reported by Meu Timão.

The final squad will be announced this Wednesday (9) at 3 p.m. Brasília time. Ancelotti will choose 26 players for Brazil’s first matches after the 2026 World Cup.

Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel / Agência Corinthians

Unlike Bidon, who is seeking a first-ever chance with the senior team, Hugo has been on the radar of Brazil’s coaching staff for some time and is trying to regain space in this new cycle for the Seleção.

Hugo Souza has been a frequent presence under Ancelotti

Since Carlo Ancelotti took charge of the national team in May 2025, Hugo Souza has appeared in five of the six squads named by the coach.

One of those opportunities came in March this year. Initially left out, the Corinthians goalkeeper was called up after Liverpool’s Alisson was withdrawn with a muscle injury.

His regular presence on the lists, however, did not guarantee Corinthians’ No. 1 a place at the 2026 World Cup. Even though he was among the preliminary call-ups for the tournament, Hugo was left out of the final squad. Ancelotti opted for Alisson, Ederson of Fenerbahçe, and Weverton of Grêmio.

On the pitch, Hugo received only one chance as Brazil’s starting goalkeeper during that period. He played in Brazil’s 3-2 defeat to Japan on October 14.

Now, with the start of a new cycle, with the 2028 Copa América and the 2030 World Cup as the main targets, the Corinthians goalkeeper is trying to increase his involvement and remain among Ancelotti’s options.

This season brings a different physical situation for the goalkeeper

Hugo Souza’s physical condition also shows an important difference compared to last year. In 2025, the No. 1 dealt with issues that interrupted his run, including two thigh injuries and a problem with his left shoulder.

In 2026, the goalkeeper has not suffered any injury that caused a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

At the end of August, Hugo did raise concern after feeling pain in his knee during a Corinthians training session. The discomfort came after a save made with the tip of his foot. Tests, however, did not detect any injury.

Hugo has established himself since arriving at Corinthians

Signed in July 2024, Hugo Souza quickly claimed the starting spot that had opened up after Carlos Miguel’s departure. Since then, he has become one of the club’s most-used players.

The goalkeeper has made 134 appearances for Corinthians, with 62 wins, 39 draws, and 33 losses.

During that span, he took part in three title-winning campaigns. Hugo was part of the squads that won the 2025 Campeonato Paulista and Copa do Brasil, as well as the 2026 Supercopa do Brasil, cementing himself as one of the key pieces in the black-and-white squad.

Interestingly, Carlos Miguel could also emerge as competition for Hugo for a place in the national team during the new cycle that began after the World Cup.

Corinthians could have two players among those called up

Hugo’s presence on the preliminary list adds to that of Breno Bidon. At 21, the midfielder is also among the 50 names pre-selected by Ancelotti’s coaching staff.

For Bidon, a potential call-up would carry a different meaning. The Terrão graduate has already represented Brazil at youth level, including in the title-winning campaign at the 2025 South American U-20 Championship, but has yet to receive an opportunity with the senior national team.

That means Corinthians will follow Wednesday’s announcement with the possibility of having two players among those chosen for the next FIFA international window.

Brazil will face Australia and India

Brazil will reconvene for the first time since being eliminated by Norway, 2-1, in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

The first destination will be Australia. Brazil and Australia will face each other twice, on September 25 and 29, at 7 a.m. Brasília time, at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

After the two matches, the delegation will travel to India. On October 3, at 11 a.m., Carlo Ancelotti’s team will face the hosts at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

Hugo Souza and Breno Bidon will find out this Wednesday whether they will remain in the final squad and represent Corinthians in this first set of national team fixtures after the World Cup.

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