Abel Ferreira gets longest pre-season at Palmeiras in World Cup break | OneFootball

The Brazilian football calendar will give Palmeiras a rare scenario in the 2026 season. With competitions paused for the World Cup, the squad will return on June 21 and will have approximately one month of preparation until their first match after competitions resume.

The period will be the longest training-only break since coach Abel Ferreira arrived at the club, offering an important opportunity for tactical adjustments, physical recovery, and overall improvement amid an usually packed schedule.

Despite the long training period, the coaching staff will not have the full squad available throughout the preparation. Seven players will be representing their national teams at the World Cup: Gustavo Gómez, Mauricio, Ramón Sosa, Jhon Arias, Piquerez, Emiliano Martínez, and Flaco López.

The absences force Abel Ferreira to carry out part of the training sessions without players considered important to the squad, while also creating room for evaluation and opportunities for other players during the mid-season break.

Even shorthanded, Palmeiras hopes to make the most of the break to return in better physical and technical condition for the rest of the season, with decisive challenges ahead in domestic and international competitions.

Verdão is also looking to get ahead of and clear up the issues in the medical department. Paulinho, one of Palmeiras’ standout players, is expected to play more than 45 minutes after the break, as learned by NOSSO PALESTRA.

According to information also obtained by NP, Alviverde is preparing striker Vitor Roque and wants to have the number nine at 100% for the match against Cerro Porteño in the Conmebol Libertadores round of 16.

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