Carlo Ancelotti is ready to put his instant stamp on the Brazil national team when leaves Real Madrid at the end of May.
Ancelotti will step aside after Real Madrid’s final game of the La Liga season against Real Sociedad on May 25 with his new role starting with immediate effect.
Once Ancelotti’s exit is cleared, Los Blancos are on course to bring in Xabi Alonso as his replacement, with the Italian in line for a historic challenge with the Samba Boys.
Ancelotti has agreed a 14-month contract to take him past the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer as he becomes the first non-Brazilian head coach of the five-time World Cup winners.
Ancelotti is due to land in Brazil and start work from June 2, but a hectic schedule means his first squad will be decided before his departure from Madrid, in consultation with the Brazilian FA.
As per reports from Brazilian outlet Globesporte, via Marca, Neymar will be brought back into the squad by Ancelotti, after missing March’s games due to injury.
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Who is in Ancelotti’s first Brazil squad?
Neymar is the headline ‘fresh face’ in Ancelotti’s debut roster, but former Chelsea star Oscar is also included, following his return to Sao Paulo after seven years in China.
The leaked preliminary list features 50 names, which will be cut to 23, for the formal May 26 announcement – and it is unclear at this stage if Ancelotti will be present for the reveal.
As per FIFA rules, all national team associations must inform clubs at least 15 days in advance of their expected arrival date for international duty, in this case it’s June 2.
Ancelotti will lead the squad from there, atĀ Corinthians training base, ahead of two incoming World Cup qualifiers.
His current Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Endrick Felipe are in, but there is no update yet on a recall for Casemiro.
Ancelotti’s first matches as Brazil boss
Brazil are currently 4th in the CONMEBOL qualifier rankings for the 2026 World Cup with four matches left to play across June and September.
Qualification is not in danger, but Argentina have stormed to an automatic place with 10 wins from 14 qualifiers.
Ancelotti’s reign starts with a trip to Ecuador on June 6 before a home clash with Paraguay on June 11 back in Sao Paulo.
The final qualifiers include a home tie with Chile on September 9 and a trip to Bolivia on September 14.
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