World Cup: Ancelotti names Paquetá replacement for Brazil v Norway

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Coluna do Fla

·4 July 2026

World Cup: Ancelotti names Paquetá replacement for Brazil v Norway

Who will replace Lucas Paquetá in Brazil’s starting lineup?

The Brazil National Team held its final training session before facing Norway in the Round of 16 of the World Cup. In Saturday’s session (04), coach Carlo Ancelotti gave indications that Gabriel Martinelli will replace Lucas Paquetá in the starting lineup of the ‘Seleção’.

In training on Friday (03) and Saturday (04), the Arsenal (ENG) forward was the player most frequently used in the role Lucas Paquetá usually played for the national team. Given that, the expectation is that Gabriel Martinelli will take the spot. However, it is worth noting that the official lineup will only be announced hours before kickoff.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER OPTIONS TO REPLACE LUCAS PAQUETÁ IN BRAZIL’S TEAM?

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Besides Gabriel Martinelli, Danilo Santos is another player who was also tested in Brazil’s midfield. In Thursday’s training session (01), the Botafogo defensive midfielder even played for a few minutes in the area where Lucas Paquetá usually operates, but he is expected to start as an option on the bench.

WHAT IS BRAZIL’S PROBABLE LINEUP FOR THE WORLD CUP MATCH AGAINST NORWAY? Alisson, Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães and Douglas Santos; Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães; Rayan, Matheus Cunha, Gabriel Martinelli and Vini Jr.

WHAT HAPPENED TO LUCAS PAQUETÁ IN BRAZIL’S WORLD CUP MATCH?

Lucas Paquetá started every one of Brazil’s matches so far in the World Cup. In the match against Japan, valid for the Round of 32, the Flamengo midfielder felt pain in his thigh on the very first play, but remained on the field. Then, near the end of the first half, the number 20 could no longer handle the pain and asked to be substituted.

After undergoing medical tests, Lucas Paquetá had a left thigh injury confirmed. For now, the Flamengo academy product continues intensive treatment for the injury. At first, the player has only a remote chance of playing again for Brazil in this World Cup, and may only return to the pitch in a possible final.

WHEN IS THE BRAZIL VS NORWAY MATCH IN THE WORLD CUP?

The match between Brazil and Norway will take place at 5:00 PM (Brasília time) this Sunday (05), in New Jersey, United States. As a result, Coluna do Fla TV, as usual, will cover the details of the match on YouTube, as well as on its website and social media. Finally, Rede Globo and SBT (free-to-air channels), as well as CazéTV (YouTube), NSports (streaming), and SporTV (pay TV) will broadcast the clash.

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