Brazil’s new national football coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has nominated his first squad. The new coach wants to lead the record world champion back to its former strength – but for the time being he is doing without superstar Neymar.
For the time being without superstar Neymar, but with great ambitions, Carlo Ancelotti is embarking on his new task as Brazilian national football coach. “I am very proud to lead the best team in the world. I have a big task ahead of me and I have great hope that Brazil will become world champions again,” said the Italian at his inaugural press conference in Rio de Janeiro, where he also nominated his team for the first time on Monday.
“The only goal is to win the 2026 World Cup,” Ancelotti continued. Despite all the problems, the out-of-form record world champion Brazil could secure their ticket for the finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada early in the upcoming duels in Ecuador (June 5) and against Paraguay (June 10).
Casemiro returns
Striker Neymar did not make it into Ancelotti’s squad. The injury-plagued 33-year-old, who has not been in the squad for almost two years, was not nominated again. However, the new coach emphasized that he would “of course” count on Neymar in the future. Midfielder Casemiro from Manchester United, on the other hand, returned to the squad.
Brazil is currently in fourth place in the South American World Cup qualification. Ancelotti is the fourth coach of the struggling Selecao in two years. He was only emotionally farewelled in Spain on Saturday after three Champions League titles with Real Madrid.