Carlo Ancelotti’s era in Brazil has officially begun! The Italian yesterday held a press conference at the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF), announcing his first Selecao 25-player squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clashes against Ecuador (June 6) and Paraguay (June 11).Despite the rumours, Neymar was left out due to injury, though Ancelotti claimed he’d count on the Santos superstar in the future.”I tried to select players who are in good shape. Neymar had an injury recently. Everyone knows that Neymar is a very important player, he always has been and always will be,” Carletto said via ESPN.The professor and the nerd, together again?On the other hand, his ex-Real Madrid soldier Casemiro will return to the national team after nearly two years of absence.”In modern soccer, you have to add attitude, commitment, sacrifice, and Casemiro has that. And many of those who have been called up have that,” Ancelotti stated.🚨🚨🚨OFFICIAL:ANCELOTTI’S FIRST SQUAD! 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/Z4l2JuBwAg— Brasil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) May 26, 2025 Analyzing the squad, the 65-year-old seems to seriously count on experienced players and veterans, especially in defence, given that he included the 34-year-olds Alex Sandro and Danilo in the squad. Conversely, younger players like Real Madrid’s Endrick, Savinho of Man City, and Brighton’s Joao Pedro were left out.Ancelotti added just two debutants – the custodian Hugo Souza of Corinthians and Alexsandro of Lille – and called up the revived Man United’s loanee at Betis, Antony, who made his last appearance with the Selecao in March 2023 in a friendly match against Morocco.##NAJAVA_MECA_8953987##Except for Neymar, several other players, such as Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Joelinton (Newcastle), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ederson (Man City), and Eder Militao (Real Madrid), are injured but will undoubtedly be included in the team once they recover.ANCELOTTI’S MAIDEN BRAZIL SQUADGoalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Hugo Souza (Corinthians), Bento (Al-Nassr)Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Lucas Beraldo (PSG), Alexsandro (Lille), Marquinhos (PSG), Danilo (Flamengo), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan), Leo Ortiz (Flamengo), Vanderson (Monaco), Wesley (Flamengo)Midfielders: Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Ederson (Atalanta), Gerson (Flamengo), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg), Casemiro (Man United)Forwards: Antony (Real Betis), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Richarlison (Tottenham), Estevao (Palmeiras), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona)
