Five-time champions Brazil were eliminated in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. After the disappointment of their failed Hexa bid, Seleção coach Carlo Ancelotti is now focusing on future plans. He has said that he will no longer consider three experienced players for the national team going forward.
Ancelotti assessed his first year in charge in an interview with Brazilian media outlet GloboEsporte, 24 days after the exit against Norway, and admitted to some tactical mistakes at the World Cup.
“This World Cup marks the end of an important generation in Brazil. Neymar, Danilo, Casemiro — the players who were over 30 at the World Cup — their time is over,” Ancelotti said.
Of these three, Neymar Jr. announced his retirement yesterday. Danilo is currently 35 and Casemiro is 34; neither has announced his retirement yet. However, it is now clear that the Brazil coach will no longer consider them.
According to Ancelotti, Brazil’s first big goal will be the 2028 Copa América. “Our main goal now is to build a new and competitive team for the 2028 Copa América. We will find some new players who can quickly step in and contribute to the team. I’m not talking about the next World Cup in 2030 — our first goal is to make sure they can compete strongly at the 2028 Copa América,” he said.
Even with changes coming to the team, Ancelotti is not in favor of overhauling the entire squad at once. “I’m not saying I will change all 26 players. There will be some experienced players who will guide the new ones — like Marquinhos. It’s important to keep players like him in the team so that continuity is maintained. But the main goal is to develop the new generation.”
Brazil are scheduled to play three matches in the September-October FIFA window following the World Cup. The Seleção will play two matches against hosts Australia, in Townsville and Brisbane, on September 25 and 29. According to various media reports, Brazil will play another friendly match in India on October 3.
Ancelotti has announced plans to give new faces a chance in these matches. “We need to use these friendlies to look at the new players we don’t know much about yet,” the Brazil coach said.
