Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti is on a scouting marathon across European stadiums to finalize his squad for the upcoming September call-up. The technical staff is split between Europe and Brazil this week, aiming to closely analyze players in action ahead of the FIFA date friendly matches, as reported by O Globo Esportes.
The Brazil national team leads its World Cup 2026 qualifying group with 7 points from two wins and a draw in three games. Their next fixture is an away match against Australia on September 25th. The team is in solid recent form with three wins, a draw, and one loss in their last five outings, despite a 2-1 defeat to Norway back in July.
Where is Ancelotti scouting matches?
Carlo Ancelotti began his tour on Friday, watching the 2-2 draw between Lille and Paris Saint-Germain in the French Championship. The match at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille carried extra family significance, marking the official home debut of Davide Ancelotti, the coach's son, as Lille's manager. Ancelotti was accompanied by his assistant Paul Clement.
The scouting work intensified with the start of the major European leagues. On Saturday, the pair were at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Tottenham vs Newcastle. Sunday featured a visit to Stamford Bridge for the Chelsea vs Brighton clash. Simultaneously, professionals from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) will be on the ground in Brazil.
Who is scouting matches in Brazil?
While Ancelotti and his assistants cover the European leagues, a CBF team is touring Brazilian stadiums. On Sunday, their schedule includes observing three major national derbies: Athletico-PR vs Fluminense, Flamengo vs Botafogo, and Corinthians vs Santos. The focus is on matches from the Brasileirão, the Copa do Brasil, and CONMEBOL tournaments.
Rodrigo Caetano, the general coordinator of national teams for the CBF, outlined the scope of the process. "We know the size of our responsibility towards the Brazilian National Team and what is demanded by our fans," he stated. The work involves integration with youth categories and medium to long-term planning. The CBF holds daily meetings with all sectors of the national teams department and observes hundreds of games, with travel across Brazil and Europe.
How does the scouting process work?
The effort is shared among all members of the technical commission. Ancelotti is currently in Europe, where he met with staff members who work on the continent. The goal is to strengthen the relationship with eligible athletes and their respective clubs, building a solid information base.
Carlo Ancelotti emphasized the importance of this period. "These days in Europe are important for our work thinking about the Seleção's next commitments," the coach said. The thorough analysis on multiple fronts ensures no relevant performance goes unnoticed. You can follow the full list of players under observation on our squad page.
What does this mean for the upcoming fixtures?
This scouting marathon is the final preparation stage before the call-up for the September friendlies. Brazil looks to bounce back from the Norway defeat and maintain its strong leadership in the World Cup campaign, where they have scored 7 goals and conceded just 1. The team demonstrates attacking and consistent football, reflected in their recent run of form.
The upcoming squad announcement will define the group that faces Australia. Real-time analysis of players with their clubs is a key component of Ancelotti's decision-making. Individual performances this weekend could be decisive for a spot in the team. To see all of Brazil's upcoming fixtures, check our fixtures page. The campaign towards the 2026 World Cup continues with full focus.
