Endrick on Ancelotti bond and World Cup hopes: “I’ll fight hard”

In partnership with

Gazeta Esportiva.com

·1 April 2026

Endrick on Ancelotti bond and World Cup hopes: “I’ll fight hard”

Forward Endrick was one of the standout players in Brazil’s win over Croatia in a friendly last Tuesday in Orlando. The young player developed by Palmeiras won a penalty, provided the assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s goal, and renewed hopes of earning a call-up to the World Cup.

After the match, the 19-year-old said he has a good relationship with Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching staff. The player worked with the Italian at Real Madrid.

Video OneFootball

“We’re very close, not only with Ancelotti, but with Davide and Francesco as well. We have a really good friendship. They don’t even call me Endrick, they call me Bobby, they like me a lot. I’m very happy about that and very grateful to them. I was able to train and talk a lot with him at Real. We have a very good relationship,” said the youngster.

Endrick believes he can still make it to the World Cup. He feels no player is 100% guaranteed a spot and promised to “fight hard” to be included in the final squad.

“No one is guaranteed a place at the World Cup. We have to do everything right for our clubs. I thank God so much for the opportunity I have to play. I live day by day, I’ll keep working and leave everything in God’s hands. I’ll keep fighting, working very hard, and I hope the players chosen for the World Cup can give everything for our nation,” he said.

A fan favorite

Despite his young age, Endrick has already won over the Brazilian fans. Supporters at Camping World Stadium chanted his name, and the forward said he got goosebumps from the atmosphere.

“It was incredible. The moment I came on, I got goosebumps. I heard the fans chanting my name, and I was very happy. Sometimes I think some people in Brazil don’t have affection for me, while others do. When I stepped onto the field, I only thanked God for that moment. Whatever I can do for Brazil, I’ll do. Now I’m going to keep working, because nothing speaks louder than hard work,” he concluded.

Brazil’s schedule until the World Cup

This was Brazil’s final test before coach Carlo Ancelotti announces the final squad for the 2026 World Cup. The list will be released on May 18, less than 50 days from now. On May 25, the group will begin preparations for the tournament at Granja Comary, in Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro.

The team’s last match on home soil will be on May 31 against Panama at the Maracanã. The squad will travel to the United States on June 1 and will have one final warm-up before the start of the World Cup, against Egypt in Cleveland on June 6.

Brazil is in Group C at the World Cup. The group also includes Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland.

Brazil will make its debut on June 13 against Morocco in New Jersey. Six days later, on June 19, the team will face Haiti in Philadelphia. The Seleção will wrap up its group-stage campaign on June 24 against Scotland in Miami.

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