TThe 2026 World Cup is fast approaching, but despite having one of the best managers in the world in Carlo Ancelotti, the Brazilian national team is still far from cementing itself as one of the favorites to win the trophy. The Italian tactician arrived after a successful spell at Real Madrid, where he won everything. However, Verdeamarella has had inconsistent results recently, with four wins, two draws, and two losses.
Brazil have historically been a team of talent and spectacle, but are currently searching for balance under coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has questions in attack and defense, as well as a lack of regularity at full-back. He now faces the huge task of making Brazil a competitive favorite team just six months before the World Cup.
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Carlo Ancelotti and Brazil’s full-back and midfield uncertainty for the 2026 World Cup
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One of Ancelotti’s main challenges ahead of the 2026 World Cup is at full-back. On the right side, there are already tested options such as Paulo Enrique, Vandersson, Vitinho and Wesley. There is uncertainty on the left between Alex Sandro, Caio Enrique and Douglas Santos, but no one has been given the undisputed starting spot. The Italian tactician even used Militão as a full-back against Senegal, but that all came crashing down when he was injured against Tunisia.
In the center of the field, Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães look set to be locked into Ancelotti’s starting lineup. However, it is still being evaluated which players will support the attack depending on the opponent and tactical situation, with Rafinha, Lucas Paqueta and Rodrigo being options.
Brazil forwards heading into the 2026 World Cup: Will Ancelotti call up Neymar Jr.?
Carlo Ancelotti has shown many variations in attack since arriving in Brazil, sometimes playing with up to four players up front, and this is perhaps the area where the following players are most talented:
Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid Rodrygo – Real Madrid Rafinha – Barcelona Estevao – Chelsea Matheus Cunha – Manchester United
However, it was Stevao who scored the most goals under Carlo Ancelotti. Carlo Ancelotti is a young gem from Palmeiras who is spending his first season in Europe with Chelsea in the Premier League. However, Gabriel Martinelli, Vitor Roque and Pedro will be hoping to join the above list of strikers in order to compete for the last place in the final squad.
But without a doubt, the player with the most excitement for a possible call-up is Neymar Jr. He has returned to Brazilian side Santos after playing in Saudi Arabia and is keeping an eye on his health, with coach Carlo Ancelotti already saying “Neymar is on the list of players who can play in the World Cup” and giving him six months to get fit.
Time is running out, with six months until the World Cup, and Ancelotti must find a formula to get Brazil back on track as one of the favorites to win the next World Cup.
