Brazilian Football Confederation

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF — Confederação Brasileira de Futebol) oversees all football in Brazil, including the Campeonato Brasileiro, the Copa do Brasil and the Seleção, Brazil's national team. CBF appointed Carlo Ancelotti as head coach in June 2024 in a high-profile recruitment from Real Madrid; Ancelotti named a 26-man World Cup squad on 18 May 2026, recalling Neymar from an ACL injury sustained in October 2023 while cutting Rodrygo and Thiago Silva.

Neymar was subsequently ruled out of the group stage after a grade-2 calf strain. Brazil drew 1-1 with Morocco in their group opener at MetLife Stadium on 13 June without their all-time top scorer. Neymar will not feature until at least the knockout rounds, if Brazil advance. Scotland lead Group c on six points heading into a decisive clash with Brazil on 24 June.

CBF is South America's largest football governing body by membership, affiliated with CONMEBOL. Brazil have won five World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) and have not reached a final since 2002. Current president Ednaldo Rodrigues has sought to stabilise the organisation following governance challenges linked to earlier administrations. The CBF's decision to appoint Ancelotti — and to include Neymar in the squad despite persistent injury doubt — placed maximum pressure on the confederation to deliver Brazil's first title in 24 years.