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Brazil hasn’t won a World Cup since 2002. Hardly a fun fact, it’s a huge blow to this proud soccer nation. They are the five-time world champions who have spent the last 24 years entering tournaments as contenders and leaving with disappointment.
Something had to change and that is Carlo Ancelotti, a man who has won everything in club football (as both manager and player) and whose calm face has never suggested he is worried about anything. As the first non-Brazilian in charge of the Seleção, Italian-born Ancelotti will expect this 26-man squad to finally break that title drought.
Here are my takeaways:
1. Neymar + 25 = Sixth star?
When Ancelotti announced that Neymar had made the Seleção during Monday’s glitzy event in Rio de Janeiro, he received more applause than any other player.
Neymar has not played for Brazil since October 2023. He tore his ACL against Uruguay, had surgery, experienced complications, returned to Santos and has been the main topic of conversation in the Brazilian media in the months leading up to this roster decision. After all, he is a living legend.
So here he is. Six goals and four assists in 2026 with Santos. Casemiro and Raphinha – even his Argentinian rival and former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi – all publicly lobbied for him to be in the team. Ancelotti himself acknowledged that Neymar is much loved, not only by the players but by the public.
The logic for bringing him into the team feels more emotional than anything else. But tournament football is not all about logic. Although he is in the twilight of his career, Neymar is the greatest Brazilian footballer produced in the last 15 years. Ancelotti has made his decision. This is Neymar’s last World Cup. The only question is whether he will come for a cameo appearance or as a main character.
2. Ancelotti finally gives Brazil permission to defend
Ancelotti has two tough defenders in Gabriel and Marquinhos. (Photo: Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP)
Brazil’s defensive record in the past four World Cups has been a major problem. That should no longer be a problem. Gabriel Magalhães and Marquinhos are one of the best central defensive pairings in international football. Gabriel has been the best defender in the Premier League this season with Arsenal, while Paris Saint-Germain stalwart Marquinhos spent a decade being one of the most reliable on the planet in his position.
These names are not as exciting as scorers like Vinícius Jr. or Raphinha. They don’t go viral for “Jogo Bonito”. But do you know what they do? They win headers. They read passing lanes and anticipate moves. The Gabriel and Marquinhos duo will be as important as anyone else in the team. If an injury occurs, and given that Real Madrid’s Éder Militão will already miss the tournament, the highly skilled Bremer of Juventus could step in without a significant drop in quality.
A solid defense, in turn, helps the attack. When Vini Jr. and Raphinha is going to play with a lead, it fundamentally changes the way they operate. Suddenly there is space for them in back to make runs and take on a stretched defense that is forced to attack. Ancelotti, who built his Real Madrid dynasty on balance, knows this better than anyone. He will be a pragmatist for Brazil in a positive sense.
3. Vinícius Jr. carrying the weight of 215 million people
Can Vinicius Jr. join the group of elite WC players? (Photo by MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The players who were children when O Fenômeno Ronaldo scored twice in the 2002 World Cup final are now adults who have spent their whole lives waiting for that euphoria to return.
Vinicius’ club season with Real Madrid was fine, but certainly not his best. What Brazil need is the version of Vinícius who almost won the Ballon d’Or and makes dribbling through defenses seem like a mixture of sorcery and ballet. That version exists, we’ve seen it. The question is whether this historic moment inspires him to give his best.
The big ones have risen to the pressure. Ronaldo in 2002. Zidane in 1998. Messi eventually found a way with Argentina in 2022 (although it took him the scenic route to get there). Vinícius does not have eternities. He has that this summer. The good news is that Vini Jr. has previously thrived under Ancelotti at Real Madrid. There is precedent here for a way to find your best form at the world’s most important football tournament.
4. Don’t sleep in midfield
Bruno Guimarães is on the engines in midfield. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Everyone will have their eyes on Vini Jr., Neymar and Raphinha. It is understandable. But the engine that actually determines how far Brazil goes is the midfield, and it is significantly better than anyone outside of Brazil gives it credit for.
Bruno Guimarães has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League for two consecutive seasons. He intercepts, recycles, presses relentlessly. He’s the kind of player you only notice when he’s not there. Then there is the technically gifted Luis Paquetá, who is back at Flamengo and in great form. He is a player who can dribble, pass and has that Brazilian flair that makes the game look so easy.
Finally there is Casemiro. Written off by some after a difficult spell at Manchester United, he still reads the game very well and has the tactical know-how for this system. Ancelotti knows him better than most and has given him the confidence to anchor the midfield again.
Tournament football is won and lost in midfield. Brazil happens to be world class.
