Brazil’s new head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has announced his first squad selection for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Ecuador and Paraguay, set for June 5 and 10, respectively.
In a notable decision, Ancelotti has left out star forward Neymar, who continues to recover from injury. The omission marks a significant shift as the veteran manager begins a new chapter with the Seleção.
The 26-man squad features a mix of experienced internationals and promising young talents across all positions, reflecting Ancelotti’s vision for a refreshed and competitive team.
In goal, he has named Alisson, Bento, and Hugo Souza. The defensive lineup includes full-backs Alex Sandro, Carlos Augusto, Wesley, and Vanderson, along with centre-backs Alexsandro, Beraldo, Marquinhos, Leo Ortiz, and Danilo.
The midfield presents a strong blend of youth and experience, featuring Andreas Pereira, Andrey Santos, Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Ederson, and Gerson. This selection signals Ancelotti’s intent to build a balanced and dynamic engine room for the squad.
Up front, the attacking roster includes Vinícius Júnior, Antony, Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha, Richarlison, and the highly touted youngster Estêvão.
The Brazilian Football Confederation officially released the squad list on Monday via social media platform X.
Brazil will kick off this round of qualifiers by hosting Ecuador on June 5, before heading to Paraguay on June 10, as they continue their campaign toward the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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