The unexpected defeat to Japan, 3-2, in the friendly on Tuesday (14), should not change Carlo Ancelotti’s planning for the eight months leading up to the 2026 World Cup. The Italian coach intends to use the November games to carry out new tests before defining the list for the World Cup.
According to the technical committee’s schedule, the idea is to have the World Cup group practically defined in the two friendlies scheduled for March 2026. These matches will be the last before the final call-up.
Ancelotti has stated on more than one occasion that he already has “15 or 16 names” in mind out of the 26 he will take to the tournament. The two games played in recent days did not change this situation much: the starting lineup did well in the first duel, a 5-0 victory over South Korea in Seoul, and the reserves, selected in the second, the defeat to Japan in Tokyo, did not take advantage of the opportunity.
With the athletes called up for commitments in Asia, the coach reached 45 players called up since May, when he took office. He is the fourth coach of the 2022–2026 cycle, which made it difficult to consolidate a squad in advance. In the previous cycle, Tite had few doubts in the year leading up to the World Cup in Qatar.
Ancelotti, on the other hand, still sees open disputes in all sectors. The idea is to expand the observations in November, when Brazil will face Senegal and Tunisia, both in Europe. The plan is to give priority to athletes who play in Brazilian football.
“Until the FIFA Date in November, we can try some things and give more opportunities to other players”, explained the coach, who took only four athletes from Brazil to Asia: Hugo Souza, Fabrício Bruno, Vitinho and Paulo Henrique.
None of them stood out, and Fabrício Bruno, Cruzeiro’s defender, ended up being marked for his mistakes against Japan.
“I ask that people not be so cowardly as to crucify me for a mistake that, unfortunately, happened,” said the defender, who scored badly on two goals in the match.
Among those who play in Europe, the defeat to Japan also weighs heavily on Richarlison. He and Bruno Guimarães are the only ones who played in the six matches under Ancelotti’s command. The Newcastle midfielder became a key player in the squad, something that the Tottenham striker was unable to achieve.
Without scoring for the national team since the 2022 World Cup, Richarlison sees his space under threat. Against Japan, they missed a good chance to tie the game and avoid defeat. Although he has the trust of Ancelotti — with whom he worked at Everton — he has not taken advantage of his opportunities well.
The quartet selected against South Korea, formed by Estêvão, Matheus Cunha, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior, fared better. Raphinha and Gabriel Martinelli are also enjoying a good time with the coach.
The offensive sector is one of the most competitive. There are names that haven’t even been called by Ancelotti yet and that could appear on the final list, like Neymar.
Before the friendly against Japan, the national coach was asked again about the player’s possible return to the team. According to him, the Santos striker has space on any team in the world as long as he is physically fit.
This is a reality, however, that seems distant. The athlete has been dealing with recurring injuries and has not played for over a month due to a problem in his right thigh. His last performance was on September 14th.
“When he is in good physical condition, he has the quality to play not only in Brazil but for any team in the world, because of his talent,” said Ancelotti.
The 45 called up by Carlo Ancelotti in the selection
GOALKEEPERS
Alisson – Liverpool
Hugo Souza – Corinthians
Bento – Al Nassrs
Ederson – Fenerbahce
John – Nottingham Forest
ZAGUEIROS
Marquinhos – PSG
Fabrício Bruno – Cruzeiro
Gabriel Magalhães – Arsenal
Beraldo – PSG
Éder Militão – Real Madrid
Léo Ortiz – Flamengo
Alexsandro – Lille
SIDES
Wesley – Roma
Vitinho – Botafogo
Vanderson – Monaco
Paulo Henrique – Vasco
Carlos Augusto – Inter Milan
Alex Sandro – Flamengo
Caio Henrique – Monaco
Douglas Santos – Zenit
Danilo – Flamengo
MIDDLEFIELDS
João Gomes – Wolverhampton
Ederson – Atalanta
André – Wolverhampton
Joelinton – Newcastle
Andrey Santos – Chelsea
Jean Lucas – Bahia
Gerson -Zenit
Bruno Guimarães – Newcastle
Casemiro – Manchester United
Lucas Paquetá – West Ham
Andreas Pereira – Palmeiras
ATTACKERS
Rodrygo – Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid
Estêvão – Chelsea
Matheus Cunha – Manchester United
Gabriel Martinelli – Arsenal
Igor Jesus – Nottingesquham Forest
Luiz Henrique – Zenit
Richarlison – Tottenham
Raphinha – Barcelona
Kaio Jorge – Cruzeiro
João Pedro – Chelsea
Samuel Lino – Flamengo
Antony – Betis
