Ancelotti Names Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad 

Brazil’s new head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has announced his inaugural squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Ecuador and Paraguay, and star forward Neymar is notably absent.

The 26-man squad, which was unveiled on [date], features a mix of experienced players and young talents, as Ancelotti looks to usher in a new era for the Brazilian national team.

The team will face Ecuador on June 5 and Paraguay on June 10 in their first qualifying matches.

Neymar, who has been a key player for Brazil in recent years, remains sidelined due to injury, and Ancelotti has opted not to include him in the squad.

The decision has raised eyebrows among fans and pundits, who were expecting the Paris Saint-Germain star to be included in the team.

In goal, Ancelotti has selected Alisson, Bento, and Hugo Souza, who will compete for the starting spot.

The defense features a strong lineup, with full-backs Alex Sandro, Carlos Augusto, Wesley, and Vanderson, alongside centre-backs Alexsandro, Beraldo, Marquinhos, Leo Ortiz, and Danilo.

The midfield and attack will be led by a talented group of players, including Casemiro, Fabinho, Bruno Guimarães, and Vinicius Junior, among others.

The squad also includes several young players who have impressed in recent months, such as Gabriel Martinelli and Rodrygo.

Ancelotti, who took over as Brazil’s head coach in March, said that he is excited to start his tenure with the team and is confident in the squad he has selected.

“We have a strong team with a good balance of experience and youth. We are looking forward to the challenges ahead and are confident that we can qualify for the World Cup,” he said.

Neymar’s absence from the squad has been a topic of discussion among fans and pundits, with some questioning Ancelotti’s decision to leave him out.

However, the coach has explained that the decision was made due to Neymar’s ongoing injury issues and the need to give other players a chance to shine.

Brazil will face Ecuador on June 5 and Paraguay on June 10 in their first World Cup qualifying matches.

The team will then face Colombia on September 7 and Peru on September 12.

Ancelotti’s inaugural squad has raised eyebrows, but the coach is confident that he has selected a team that can qualify for the World Cup. With a strong lineup and a mix of experienced players and young talents, Brazil will be looking to make a strong start to their qualifying campaign.

The absence of Neymar will be felt, but the team has the depth and talent to overcome his loss and achieve their goals.