Arthur Elias reflects on friendlies in Brazil and training in Itu | OneFootball

As the Women’s National Team gets into a run of friendlies and training sessions one year before the 2027 World Cup, the coaching staff is gaining more consistency in its call-ups to close out the preparation cycle with a group that identifies with, understands, and executes the playing model in high-level matchups.

That is the assessment of head coach Arthur Elias, who virtually followed up two friendlies against the United States with an extra training period in Itu, São Paulo. One of the team’s toughest tests in preparation for the World Cup, the matches against the Americans ended with two goals on each side.

At Neo Química Arena, Brazil came from behind to win 2-1; and at Arena Castelão, in front of one of the biggest crowds in Brazilian women’s soccer in recent years, the United States won 1-0. “The experience of the two matches in Brazil was fantastic. They were tough contests against a top world team, a very successful one. Going through these challenges with the support of our fans is much better,” the coach pointed out.

Twenty-nine players, including newcomers and veterans who had been away from the national team, train in ItuCredits: Luciana Vermell/CBF

For Arthur, fan engagement should be used strategically in the national team’s favor not only in a possible matchup against the United States again at the World Cup, but also against any other team. That is why there is an effort to bring more friendlies to the country through June next year. “The national team will still play in Brazil before the end of the preparation for the World Cup. We want at least one FIFA window, but I’m hoping for two,” he said.

Newcomers and veterans

With a different squad from the friendlies—except for Kemelli, Isa Haas, Isabela, Raissa Bahia, Kaylane, Yaya, and Gio, who played against the United States—the staff is spending five days training in the countryside of São Paulo. There are 29 players in all, many of them newcomers or players who had been away from the national team for some time.

“These have been productive days here. The goal of this call-up is to take advantage of a period when many clubs are in recess and be able to closely observe young players who had not yet been called up by the national team, as well as the return of others who are performing well for their clubs,” Arthur explained.

Looking ahead to the World Cup, he says that all the players deserve to be and are on the radar for the final squad. “I’m happy with the quality of the training these days. In one year, a lot happens in soccer, and of course we will have changes, but not such drastic ones—15 or 17 different players from one call-up to another. Opportunities will continue to be given, but as we build continuity, we are able to have more consistency,” he concluded.

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