“The 26 are starters”, said Carlo Ancelotti this Friday (5), when justifying new observations in the Brazilian team against Egypt, this Saturday (6), in the last friendly before the World Cup. The idea enhances the squad, but also changes the team’s definition on the eve of the start of the World Cup, against Morocco.
The scenario contrasts with the recent history of the Brazilian team, which, in four of the six World Cups this century, reached the tournament exactly repeating the team from the last test. In other editions, he only made specific adjustments. Now, doubts remain open in almost all sectors just a few days before the start of the competition.
Among the decisions still open, the Italian intends to observe Lucas Paquetá in a more advanced role and Igor Thiago as an offensive reference, expanding the range of variations for the team. “I want to see alternatives, not just a fixed team”, said the coach, who also indicated the presence of Douglas Santos among the starters in the friendly.
Although he avoided confirming the complete lineup, the coach ended up revealing part of the design throughout the interview, as he commented role by role. “I said I wasn’t going to give the team, but you already did it,” he joked, when pressed about the formation that will take to the field in Cleveland.
The stance keeps the definition of not only names open, but also the structure of the team for the World Cup, something that contrasts with recent cycles of the Brazilian team, when the last friendly served as a final confirmation of the base team. Now, Brazil ends its preparation, still in the adjustment phase and with different combinations being evaluated until the eve of the debut.
Just as happened against Panama, when the team said goodbye to the Brazilians with a 6-2 defeat at Maracanã, the friendly against Egypt will also allow up to 11 substitutions for each side.
Ancelotti stated that he intends to use the entire available squad throughout the match, but with special attention to players returning from injury or needing to gain pace. “Whoever returns from a period away, like Bruno Guimarães and Raphinha, may have more minutes,” he said, also citing the need to physically manage athletes who reach the end of a long season.
He also confirmed that defender Gabriel Magalhães, Champions League finalist with Arsenal, will not be used against Egypt due to load control, reinforcing concerns about physical wear and tear in this final stretch of preparation for the World Cup.
The defender, however, is part of the team’s group of untouchable players, alongside defender Marquinhos, as well as Casemiro, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha.
Wesley is, at least for now, the starter at right back, but Ancelotti has also experimented in the position. During part of Wednesday’s training, he played Danilo in the sector, but kept Wesley on the field, playing wide on the left and more advanced, as he usually plays at Roma.
The midfield base remains untouched, with Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães always present in the ideal team. The formation and companions, however, vary. Ancelotti tested a three-man midfield, encouraging Paquetá to enter. Afterwards, however, he returned to 4-2-4.
Igor Thiago emerges as Ancelotti’s main test. The striker gained space after the friendly against Panama and will start the match against Egypt, offering the team a reference area that was not part of the team’s usual design.
Experiences show that the Italian coach has good options in the squad, but they also reinforce that he still has a series of doubts about his ideal formation.
After facing Egypt this Saturday, Brazil debuts in the World Cup against Morocco, on the 13th, in New Jersey.
Technical sheet
BRAZIL x EGYPT (Friendly)
Data: June 6, 2026 (Saturday), at 7pm
Local: Huntington Park Field stadium in Cleveland, United States
Transmission: Globo, SporTV and ge tv
Arbitrator: Adonai Escobedo (MEX)
Assistants: Ibrahim Martinez (MEX) and Maximiliano Gomez (MEX)
OUR: Carlos Rivero (MEX)
Brazil
Alisson, Wesley, Marquinhos, Léo Pereira and Douglas Santos; Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães; Lucas Paquetá, Igor Thiago, Vini Júnior and Raphinha
Egypt
Mostafa Shobeir; Mohamed Abdelmonem, Yasser Ibrahim, Karim Hafez and Mohamed Hany; Marwan Attia, Eman Ashour, Mahmoud Trezeguet and Mohamed Salah; Zizo and Omar Marmoush
