Izuchukwu OkosiBrazil’s new head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, who oversaw his last game in charge of Real Madrid over the weekend on Matchday 38 of the Spanish La Liga has named a formidable 25-man squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.
Negotiations between Brazil and Ancelotti have dug deep and had lasted over two years.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelBrazil’s 2026 World Cup hopes has been under serious threat, especially after the 4-1 defeat to bitter rivals, Argentina.
The events leading to the last round of World Cup qualifiers in the South American region accelerated negotiations between both parties.
Now, Ancelotti has named a team that includes Vini Jnr, Raphinha, Antony, Bruno Guimaraes, Alisson, Matheus Cunha, Ederson, Gabriel Martinelli, Richarlison among others.
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One notable absentee however from the squad named by Ancelotti is Neymar Jr.
The former Barcelona and PSG forward is recuperating from an injury setback and has not sufficiently attained full fitness.
Ancelotti in his pre match press conference held on Monday bared his thoughts on the flamboyant forward and others who failed to make the cut.
“Neymar’s out of the list as he’s just returned from injury. I spoke to Ney and we’ve agreed on this.
“I trust Neymar, I count on him, we want him to arrive in best conditions to the World Cup.
“Joelinton, Rodrygo, Ederson, Militao are also out due to injury.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Melgahaes is another influential player in defence who has been ruled out due to his long term injury layoff.
Ancelotti becomes the first non-Brazilian in six decades to coach the record five-time World Cup winners.
“I’m very proud to lead the best team in the world. I have a big job ahead of me and have great hope that Brazil will become champions again,” the former AC Milan, Juventus, Everton and Real Madrid boss stated during his official presentation as manager in Rio de Janeiro.
“The only goal is to win the 2026 World Cup.”
Brazil will be hoping that the vastly experienced Ancelotti will lead the team past the semifinals of the World Cup.
Brazil have only reached the semifinals of the World Cup once in five previous appearances – the last being in 2014 at home when eventual winners Germany thumped them 7-1.
Newly elected Brazil Football Federation (CBF) president, Samir Xaud, after the previous boss, Ednaldo Rodrigues was dismissed by a court over suspicions of forgery in his employment contract.
“May Christ the Redeemer (Rio’s landmark monument) bless the arrival of our Mr Carlo Ancelotti, so that he can secure… a highly coveted sixth world title,” Xaud noted and pledged “total autonomy” for the 65-year-old legendary coach.
Ancelotti’s new role comes with a pay package of around 10 million euros ($11.4 million) a year, according to local media in the South American nation.
Ancelotti’s son, Davide, who was one of his assistants at Real Madrid, will be among his crew for the Brazil job.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
