Casemiro

Casemiro is Brazil's senior defensive midfielder and one of the most decorated players in world football, having won five UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid alongside La Liga and Copa del Rey honours before moving to Manchester United. At the 2026 World Cup, he is the anchor of Carlo Ancelotti's midfield and scored twice in Brazil's 6-2 pre-tournament win over Panama at the Maracanã on 31 May 2026, reinforcing his role as a goal threat from midfield as well as the team's defensive organiser .

Born in São José dos Campos in 1992, Casemiro rose through São Paulo's academy before moving to Real Madrid, where he formed one of the most successful defensive-midfield partnerships in Champions League history alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. His ability to read the game, win the ball, and distribute quickly made him a cornerstone of Real's trophy era from 2016 to 2022. He joined Manchester United in August 2022 in a deal worth around €70 million and has represented Brazil at the 2014 and 2022 World Cups, as well as Copa América campaigns.

With Neymar managing a calf strain, Casemiro's leadership on and off the pitch is more important than usual at this tournament. Brazil's identity in 2026 leans on the attacking talent of Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, but it is Casemiro who provides the platform — protecting the back four, dictating tempo, and arriving late into the box when space opens. His goals against Panama showed that Ancelotti's Brazil can score from multiple positions, not just their recognised forwards.