Brazil looks for replacements after Ibañez and Igor Thiago vanish

Brazil starts the World Cup with Ibañez and Igor Thiago, but both vanish from the starting line‑up

The Brazil squad faced Morocco with Ibañez and Igor Thiago as fresh faces, yet neither returned to the pitch in the three following matches – Haiti, Scotland and Japan. Coach Carlo Ancelotti made tactical tweaks and leaned on seasoned players, leaving the duo on the bench for the round‑of‑16 clash against Norway.

Why was Ibañez chosen against Morocco?

Ibañez, a 27‑year‑old defender who previously played as right‑back against Croatia, was picked to cover for Éder Militão’s injury before the tournament. Ancelotti cited "small details" in training as the reason. In the match, the defender earned a yellow card, completed 22 passes and lost possession three times – stats that failed to impress. When Brazil needed less defensive work, Danilo reclaimed the spot, showing greater composure.

Igor Thiago: from Brentford’s scoring run to silence in Brazil

The striker arrived after netting 22 goals in the Premier League and finishing as the season’s runner‑up scorer, edging out Matheus Cunha for the Morocco game. In his 62 minutes, he completed four of five passes but missed a header and had his shot saved. Ancelotti then altered the formation, favoring Matheus Cunha’s mobility, who became the main offensive threat.

What does Ancelotti’s decision mean for the next round?

Leaving Ibañez and Igor Thiago out signals a preference for tactical stability over the gamble of fielding newcomers. If Brazil sticks with the same defensive line and Cunha up front, the Norway duel could be decided by fine margins. The squad still has room for tweaks, but the trust placed in tested players may prove decisive.

The upcoming match kicks off at 17:00 Brasília time at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. Brazil will line up with Danilo, Alisson and Marquinhos in defense, while Matheus Cunha leads the attack. Tune in live to see if Ancelotti’s plan secures the three points Brazil needs.