Ancelotti nears key decision as Brazil prepares for Final World Cup squad assessment

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti is approaching a crucial stage in selecting his squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to Brazilian media outlet Estadão, the Italian manager will announce his roster on March 16 for two international friendly matches scheduled later in the month. 

The Brazil national football team will face France national football team on March 26 and Croatia national football team on March 31, with both games set to take place in the United States.

These matches will serve as the final opportunity for Ancelotti and his technical staff to evaluate players before confirming the final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The definitive list is expected to be released on May 19, making the March friendlies a decisive moment for players hoping to secure their place in the tournament.

At present, reports indicate that 18 positions in the World Cup squad are essentially secured.

Among these, 13 players are considered guaranteed selections unless they suffer injuries before the tournament.

This group includes key names such as Alisson Becker, Éder Militão, Marquinhos, Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha.

Militão could even start the tournament playing as a right-back, highlighting Ancelotti’s tactical flexibility in defense.

Five other players are also close to securing their places. Gabriel Martinelli has reportedly strengthened his chances after Rodrygo withdrew due to injury, while Richarlison continues to enjoy the confidence of the coach, having been included in every squad since Ancelotti took charge.

Several additional players have impressed the coaching staff during recent training camps.

Hugo Souza and Luis Henrique are among those who have made a positive impression.

Ancelotti is also reportedly interested in including a goalkeeper capable of taking penalties in potential knockout shootouts, making Hugo Souza a particularly intriguing option.

Competition remains open across several positions. In defense, Gleison Bremer could return to the national setup, while midfield alternatives such as Gabriel Sara and Danilo Barbosa will be assessed as potential backups for Guimarães.

In attack, young talents continue to emerge. Endrick, currently gaining regular playing time at Lyon after his development at Real Madrid, is expected to feature in the upcoming friendlies.

Another rising prospect is Rayan Vitor, a former Vasco da Gama academy product who recently moved to AFC Bournemouth.

The Brazilian technical staff reportedly plans to include between nine and ten forwards in the broader squad pool.

Meanwhile, the situation surrounding Neymar remains uncertain. 

Although he appeared on the preliminary list for the friendlies, his recent absence from a Santos match raised doubts about his immediate involvement.

Ancelotti was present in São Paulo during that fixture, primarily to assess Neymar’s condition and potential readiness.

With only a few months remaining before the World Cup squad is finalized, the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia will play a decisive role in shaping Brazil’s final lineup.