ORLANDO.- The selector of Brazil, Carlo Ancelottisaid this Monday that he has “quite defined” the lineup with which he will debut in the North America World Cup 2026next June 13 against Moroccoas well as the final list of those summoned for the tournament.
The Italian coach took over the position last June towards what will be his first World Cup as a coach, after a brilliant career as a coach of big European clubs.
Along the way he has suffered important casualties for the World Cup, such as that of the injured attacker Rodrygoand the uncertainty about the physical situation of Neymarwho has not played under Ancelotti.
“We have done a great evaluation of the players I didn’t know. Now we have a very clear idea, I have the lineup quite defined for the first game,” declared ‘Carletto’ at a press conference in Orlando, USAwhere Brazil will face on Tuesday Croatia in a friendly
Ancelotti, 66, acknowledged that injuries will prevent him from testing his reference eleven against the Croatians, just as happened against Franceon Thursday, in a 2-1 loss near Boston.
But the coach, who presented ten different lineups in his ten games in charge of the Seleção, celebrated the appearance of players like the defender Leo Pereira and the midfielders Danilo dos Santos de Oliveira and Gabriel Sarawhich will increase “competition for the final list.”
Asked about the presence on the list of Danilothe veteran defender of FlamengoAncelotti defined him as “a very important player, on and off the field.”
He declared that the former player of the real Madrid and the Manchester City “He is guaranteed to be on the final list of 26 for his attitude, character, personality and game.”
Vini Availability
He also confirmed that he will be able to count on the forward of the real Madrid, Vinicius Jr.and Marquinhosdefender of Paris Saint-Germainwho had been suffering from fatigue and physical discomfort in recent days.
The defender, one of the captains of the five-time world champions, missed the game against France.
Regarding the match against Croatia, the last before revealing the final squad list, Ancelotti assured that he will change some players compared to the friendly against Les Bleus, but that he will maintain the same offensive system, with up to four forwards.
The Italian paid tribute to the veteran Croatian midfielder Luka Modricwho was under his orders at Real Madrid.
“He can play all positions because he is a complete and modern midfielder, one of the best players I have coached in that position (…) He is unique, there is no other like him on the market,” he praised.
