Head coach Carlo Ancelotti has named a Brazil squad featuring eight debutants for upcoming friendly matches. The call-up, reported by Folha Esporte, is for games against Australia and India and highlights the Italian's search for new options, particularly in midfield.
The newcomers are Breno Bidon (Corinthians), Otávio (Cruzeiro), Pedro Morisco (Coritiba), Matheuzinho (Corinthians), Mauro Júnior (PSV), Arthur Dias (Athletico), Jair (Nottingham Forest) and Gabriel Bontempo (Santos). The squad's average age is 24.4, a notable drop from the 29.6 average of the last World Cup squad. The team, which tops its World Cup 2026 group with 7 points from 3 games, is looking to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Norway on July 5th.
Why so many changes in midfield?
Ancelotti has voiced concern about the lack of midfielders in Brazilian football. He is obsessed with finding new names for the position and has been scouting work that will continue until year's end. The coach admitted he does not yet know Mauro Júnior well, the biggest surprise in the list, but wants to see him up close, citing an interesting profile. "I don't know him that well yet. I want to see Mauro Junior up close because he seems a very interesting profile," Ancelotti said.
Bruno Guimarães and Danilo were the only midfielders retained from the last World Cup squad. Andrey Santos and Douglas Luiz are options for the starting role, while Breno Bidon and Gabriel Bontempo can assist in build-up play. Ancelotti's priority in this first call-up was the defensive system.
Which key players have been kept?
Despite the new faces, some players are considered untouchable. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona) and Bruno Guimarães (Arsenal) keep their places. In defense, Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães remain the starting center-back partnership. Wesley and Douglas Santos are the expected baseline full-backs on each side.
In attack, Pedro and Samuel Lino return. Endrick received a vote of confidence from Ancelotti, despite not playing under José Mourinho at Real Madrid. Goalkeeper Hugo Souza (Corinthians) is the only one with prior senior team experience, but Liverpool's Alisson is not excluded from future plans. Cláudio Taffarel is evaluating young goalkeepers in Brazil and Europe.
How does the observation process work?
Ancelotti has expanded his input sources. He included the coaches of the youth national teams, Carlos Eduardo Patetuci (Under-17) and Paulo Victor (Under-20), in the process. The Italian has also been evaluating players in Europe, like full-back Kaiki at Como. After announcing the squad, he needed to watch his called-up players' UEFA Champions League matches.
He is using the milder period of the calendar for tests and observations. Ancelotti appeared animated and smiling during a lunch at the CBF restaurant in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, September 9th, where he showed videos of various players to colleagues. In interviews with TNT Sports and CNN Brasil, he asked for public trust. "I need the Brazilian people to have confidence in the work," he stated.
The national team cycle includes World Cup qualifiers, the Copa América, and the World Cup itself. The next fixture is an away friendly against Australia on September 25th. Brazil's current World Cup campaign, with 7 goals scored and only 1 conceded, demonstrates a solid defense that Ancelotti aims to maintain while refreshing the squad. Full fixture details are available on the site's fixtures page.
