With just one year to go until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Brazil national team enters a new era as Carlo Ancelotti has signed on for at least the next 14 months.
After seven wildly successful years in charge of Real Madrid, “Don Carlo” agreed to join as the new Brazil head coach, moving into the role immediately at the conclusion of the La Liga campaign.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has long been an admirer of Ancelotti, and after years of coaching turmoil and World Cup qualifying struggles, it finally brought the Italian boss aboard.
Brazil sit fourth in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings, still very likely to qualify but far from the dominant fashion fans are used to. They will now look to seal a spot as they contest games against Ecuador and Paraguay, with just two more qualifiers in September to go before the cycle officially concludes.
Ancelotti’s first squad raised a few eyebrows as some veteran stars earned a recall.
Brazil squad for 2025 summer World Cup qualifiers
Ancelotti named his first Brazil roster on Monday, May 26, the day he officially took charge of the national team.
The Italian called up 25 players to the roster for World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay, which will both take place prior to the start of the 2025 Club World Cup.
It includes Manchester United veteran Casemiro, his teammate Antony, who has impressed on loan at Real Betis, and youngsters Andrey Santos and Estevao.
Caps correct as of squad announcement date
| Pos | Name | Club | Caps |
| GK | Alisson | Liverpool (ENG) | 72 |
| GK | Bento | Al Nassr (KSA) | 4 |
| GK | Hugo Souza | Corinthians (BRA) | 0 |
| DEF | Alexsandro | Lille (FRA) | 0 |
| DEF | Alex Sandro | Flamengo (BRA) | 40 |
| DEF | Carlos Augusto | Inter Milan (ITA) | 2 |
| DEF | Danilo | Flamengo (BRA) | 65 |
| DEF | Leo Ortiz | Flamengo (BRA) | 2 |
| DEF | Lucas Beraldo | Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) | 3 |
| DEF | Marquinhos | Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) | 97 |
| DEF | Vanderson | AS Monaco (FRA) | 5 |
| DEF | Wesley | Flamengo (BRA) | 2 |
| MID | Andreas Pereira | Fulham (ENG) | 9 |
| MID | Andrey Santos | Strasbourg (FRA) | 1 |
| MID | Bruno Guimaraes | Newcastle (ENG) | 33 |
| MID | Casemiro | Manchester United (ENG) | 75 |
| MID | Ederson | Atalanta (ITA) | 3 |
| MID | Gerson | Flamengo (BRA) | 12 |
| FWD | Antony | Real Betis (ESP) | 16 |
| FWD | Estevao | Palmeiras (BRA) | 4 |
| FWD | Gabriel Martinelli | Arsenal (ENG) | 16 |
| FWD | Matheus Cunha | Wolves (ENG) | 13 |
| FWD | Raphinha | Barcelona (ESP) | 33 |
| FWD | Richarlison | Tottenham (ENG) | 48 |
| FWD | Vinicius Jr. | Real Madrid (ESP) | 39 |
Neymar misses out despite rumours of Brazil recall
Neymar has still not played for Brazil since he tore his ACL during a World Cup qualifier in October 2023 and was once again left off the roster.
The 33-year-old was initially called up in March after making his return from injury for Brazilian club Santos, but he was felled by a hamstring problem and forced to withdraw.
He has only just recently returned to the pitch, playing 26 minutes in a 1-0 league win over Vitoria on May 25. Given that he has suffered consistent injury problems of late, Ancelotti likely left him off to continue his return to match fitness before national-team duty is in order.
Ancelotti leaves multiple stars off Brazil roster
Ancelotti made some major decisions when determining his first Brazil squad, leaving a number of key veterans on the outside.
The most notable absences include Man City goalkeeper Ederson, who was forced to withdraw from the March roster due to injury but has since returned to full fitness, and Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who played under Ancelotti for a number of years.
In Ederson’s absence, Ancelotti has given uncapped Corinthians starter Hugo Souza a call-up behind regular first-choice goalkeeper Alisson and backup Bento.
Rodrygo’s snub is not terribly surprising considering he suffered through an extremely poor season, but it’s still notable to see Ancelotti turn down not just one of his old Real Madrid players, but another in young forward Endrick. Instead, a call-up was given to Palmeiras teenager Estevao who has impressed so far this season, and Man United loanee Antony who has been successful since joining La Liga side Real Betis in the winter.
Also left out were West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta and Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton, although the latter has dealt with a knee issue to end the Premier League season and may have simply been left to continue his recovery. Defenders Eder Militao and Bremer are continuing to recover from serious knee injuries, while Yan Couto was left out after losing his starting place at Borussia Dortmund.
