Brazil's Ancelotti Finalizes Squad and Tactics Ahead of 2026 World Cup Opener
Carlo Ancelotti, newly appointed head coach of the Brazil national team, is shaping his World Cup squad around players with experience in Italian football, citing Alex Sandro, Danilo, Alisson and the newly added midfielder Éderson after Wesley’s injury.
Following a 2‑1 victory over Egypt in Cleveland, Ancelotti said he has a clear idea of the starting XI for Brazil’s opening match against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. He highlighted attacking options such as Endrick, Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha, and stressed the depth of the bench, mentioning possible contributions from Marquinhos, Gabriel and the injured Wesley once cleared.
The team capped its pre‑World Cup preparations with a 6‑2 win over Panama and a friendly against Egypt, using the games to test tactical tweaks, defensive cohesion and goalkeeper choices, retaining Alisson, Ederson and Weverton as the preferred trio.
Former star Ronaldo praised Ancelotti as a top‑three coach and expressed strong confidence in Brazil’s prospects for the tournament.