Even with Copa spot secured, Brazil see final qualifiers as crucial | OneFootball

Even with a spot in the 2026 World Cup already guaranteed, the Brazilian National Team is treating the last two games of the South American Qualifiers with seriousness and importance. Coach Carlo Ancelotti wants to use the FIFA date to get to know more players.

In third place in the qualifying table with 25 points, Brazil hosts Chile on September 4th at 9:30 PM (Brasília time) at the Maracanã. Then, they visit Bolivia on the 9th at 8:30 PM in El Alto.

Ancelotti called up 25 players. Of these, many were not on the Italian's first list, who decided to leave out some names that he already knows better.

"It's a list that has changed a bit compared to the first one. There are nine players who are not here now, like Carlos Augusto, Beraldo, Leo Ortiz, Danilo, Andreas, Gerson, Ederson, Antony, and Vinicius. They are not here because I want to get to know new players, about their profile, characteristics, and personal aspects. I already know their technical profile. I want to get to know others who can help the National Team do things well. Those who are not here worked well in the first call-up. I want to thank them," said the coach.

Ancelotti also wants to maintain the good atmosphere in the National Team. The experienced commander saw his first FIFA date with good eyes, both on and off the field, and wants to continue building a bond with the group.

"These two games are the last of the qualification. We need to do them well, finish the qualification well. I was pleased with the last two games, with the game and the atmosphere. It was a good atmosphere. We need to use these two games now to maintain a positive atmosphere in the group," he analyzed.

"It will be very important for the World Cup. The friendlies too. The goal is to get to know the players well. Brazil has many good players all over the world. It won't be easy to make a list. We will have 10 months to prepare a definitive list to do well in the World Cup. It's a family-like atmosphere and very good, with competence and organization. I liked the game against Paraguay. The team played well. The team can improve the quality and intensity, but we have the time to do all that," he concluded.

Ancelotti was hired by the CBF in May this year and has already been in charge of the National Team in the games against Ecuador and Paraguay, in the Qualifiers, played in June. So far, the commander has one draw and one win.

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