Ancelotti chooses his 26 to conquer the world

19 May 2026

The Italian coach presents the definitive Brazil squad for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico at Rio de Janeiro’s Museum of Tomorrow, to enormous expectation.

Carlo Ancelotti walked out on Monday in Rio de Janeiro carrying a blue folder. Inside, the best-kept secret in Brazilian football: the 26 names chosen to try to bring the Canarinha the star it craves most. The sixth. The Museum of Tomorrow hosted an event full of emotion and anticipation, a true reflection of what this World Cup means to an entire nation.

The squad is a mirror of Carletto’s philosophy: balance, talent and team above all else. From Alisson’s solidity between the posts to Vinícius Júnior’s explosive play in attack, through Marquinhos’ experience in defence and Bruno Guimarães’ leadership in midfield. A squad built to win.

Nossa convocação. #BateNoPeito pic.twitter.com/ekHWaHXggP
— Carlo Ancelotti (@MrAncelotti) May 19, 2026

The 26 chosen ones
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahçe) and Weverton (Grêmio). Defenders: Marquinhos (PSG), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Ibáñez (Al-Ahli), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Wesley (Roma), Danilo (Flamengo), Alex Sandro (Flamengo) and Douglas Santos (Zenit). Midfielders: Casemiro (Manchester United), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Danilo S. (Botafogo) and Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo). Forwards: Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Endrick (Olympique de Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Rayan (Bournemouth), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit) and Neymar (Santos), who returns to the Canarinha to contribute his experience and the quality only he can bring. Ancelotti was clear: «Neymar will be an important player for us at the World Cup. We spent the whole year analysing him. We realised that in this last period he had continuity and was in good physical condition».

The dream begins on June 13
Brazil open their campaign against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, in a Group C that also includes Scotland and Haiti. Ancelotti has his 26. The sixth star awaits.