Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti named Brazil's preliminary 55-man squad for the 2026 World Cup on 9 May 2026, confirming Neymar's return to the international fold after a 30-month ACL injury absence and ruling out Real Madrid pair Rodrygo and Éder Militão through injury. The final 26-man squad is to be announced on 18 May at CBF headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

Ancelotti was appointed Brazil head coach in June 2024, arriving from Real Madrid where he had won four Champions League titles across two stints and a record-breaking Liga title. He became the first coach to win the Champions League four times. His appointment caused controversy in Madrid, where fans and officials wanted him to stay; Real Madrid and Brazilian officials negotiated a delayed start so Ancelotti could complete the season.

Ancelotti brings a possession-based, attacking philosophy and has the advantage of a generation of Brazilian talent at the world's top clubs. At 66, the 2026 World Cup is a rare occasion where a club manager of his standing takes a national team role mid-career. Brazil enter the 2026 tournament as one of the pre-tournament favourites, ending a World Cup final drought stretching back to their 2002 victory.

Brazil's 2026 World Cup ended in the round of 16 on 5 July, beaten 2-1 by Norway at MetLife Stadium as Erling Haaland scored both goals. Neymar, restored to the squad in May after 31 months out, played only two of Brazil's five matches before retiring from international football on the pitch immediately after the defeat. Captain Marquinhos asked for patience with Brazil's new generation as Ancelotti now faces a rebuild without the country's all-time leading scorer, Brazil's wait for a first title since 2002 extended by at least another World Cup cycle.