The Brazilian team trusted in the experience of Carlo Ancelotti to overcome one of the worst streaks in its history, but, seven months before the start of the 2026 World Cup, it is still far from the group of favorites to win the title in New Jersey.
‘Carletto’ landed in the ‘canarinha’ last May after closing his second and glorious chapter in the real Madrid. However, eight games later, the team has not found the expected consistency: four wins, two draws and two losses (Bolivia and Japan).
On Tuesday they closed the year with a discreet draw against Tunisia (1-1) thanks to a penalty converted by Estevaothe young promise of Chelsea. Brazil will concentrate again in March, when, according to local media, it will face France and Croatia in the United Stateswith many doubts to clear up.
1
Indefinition on the sides
In the center of the defense, Gabriel, Marquinhos, Éder Militao and Alexsandro (Lille) seem to have a guaranteed place. The problem is on the sides, where Ancelotti continues to test. On the right he has examined Paulo Henrique (Vasco da Gama), Vanderson (Monaco), Vitinho (Botafogo) and Wesley (Roma), although the one who left the best impressions was a Militao (photo) converted to full-back in last Saturday’s victory against Senegal (2-0). Militao was injured against Tunisia. On the left, more of the same. Ancelotti has not found his trusted man among Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Caio Henrique (Monaco) and Douglas Santos (Zenit).
2
Who will help Casemiro and B. Guimaraes
Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães seem to be permanent fixtures in the eleven. They will be the anchors of the team, if injuries allow it. The Manchester United midfielder (photo), back at the senior level with Ancelotti, has restored balance to the team. The speed and rhythm of the game will depend on the Newcastle player. However, it is open who will help them in the middle, since the Italian coach has so far opted for four forwards. Lucas Paquetá, Raphinha and Rodrygo could occupy that space.
3
Many forwards for four positions
And ‘Carletto’ seems to have found his ideal formation in the 4-2-4, with four forwards with a lot of mobility and freedom of movement. But not all of them fit. The list is long: Vinicius, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Estevao and Matheus Cunha start with an advantage. When Raphinha recovers, if he returns to the level of last season with FC Barcelona, one will have to leave. It will be difficult to remove Estevao, who has five goals with the senior team and is the top scorer of the ‘Ancelotti era’. But the candidates don’t end there. Gabriel Martinelli, Vitor Roque, Luiz Henrique, Pedro and João Pedro are also fighting to be in the next World Cup.
4
Neymar’s shadow
For the moment, Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top scorer, is not part of Ancelotti’s plans, who has insisted that he will only take to the World Cup those he sees as being one hundred percent physically fit. The truth is that number 10 has not yet recovered his best version since the serious knee injury he suffered in 2023. He returned to his country in January, to Santos, the club where he trained, with the aim of getting fit and returning to the national team. However, he has had muscle problems that have kept him out for more than a hundred days. And when he has been on the field he has not greatly improved the game of the Albinegro team, which is currently fighting to avoid relegation to the Second Division of the Brazilian League.
