Preparing the national team before the 2026 World Cup: Ancelotti explains the strategy

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Carlo Ancelotti stressed the importance of starting Brazil’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup in the country, bidding farewell to the fans before leaving for the United States, and he analyzed the group’s opponents and reiterated that the formations will be based on the players’ performance.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti stressed the importance of the team’s focus in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Brazil. In a press conference on Friday, the fifth of this month, the Italian stated that the plans include saying goodbye to the Brazilian public before leaving for the United States.

“It is important to say goodbye to Brazil because we want to arrive in the United States in a good atmosphere. It is important that we start preparations in Granja (Comari, in Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro) and play the last friendly match in Brazil,” stressed the coach.

Like the coach, Rodrigo Caetano, CBF selections coordinator, highlighted the planning and stated that the focus in Brazil before heading to the USA is “non-negotiable”.

When talking about the difference in climate between the end of the Brazilian fall and the end of the spring in the Northern Hemisphere, he explained: “There are some priorities that we choose, one of them is to meet in Brazil. This for us is non-negotiable, and as the gentleman said, we will have time to prepare on American soil.”

When asked about Brazil’s expectations regarding the third group, which includes Morocco, Haiti and Scotland, Ancelotti reiterated the difficulty of facing their rivals, highlighting the defensive organization of the Moroccan team and the physical aspect of the European team, in addition to saying that he is happy to face Haiti.

Ancelotti also responded again regarding Neymar Jr’s call-up: “I want to make it clear: we are in December, the World Cup is in June. When I choose the team that will play in the World Cup, I will choose it in May. If Neymar deserves to be in the World Cup, if he performs well, better or equal to others, he will play in the World Cup and that’s it.”

Ancelotti puts an end to the question of whether Neymar will go to the World Cup or not after the group draw:

The coach also refuted comments about the supposed lack of players in the Brazilian national team.

“I can make a list of players who can be World Cup champions. We may not have a reference in that sense at the moment, but as I said, I can make a list. We have the best goalkeepers, the best defenders, we have the best midfielders, and in the attacking line as well. I don’t want players who are the best in the world, I want players who want to win the cup,” he said.

Ancelotti was at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, to conduct the 2026 World Cup group draw. After the event, the Italian analyzed the opponents and looked into possible difficulties.

He explained, “It is very difficult. Morocco performed very well in the World Cup (reaching the semi-finals in 2022). Scotland is a strong team, very strong. Very difficult, but we have to do it well. Try to finish first in the group and prepare well. The first two matches will be very important.”

He added, “We have to think about the three matches. Morocco first is the most difficult team in the groups. We must be confident.”

Entering the sixth round, Brazil will take to the field for the first time on Saturday, June 13 against Morocco. Then they face Haiti on the 19th, and conclude their participation in the first stage by facing Scotland on the 24th. The dates and locations of the matches will be announced by FIFA on Saturday, the 6th of this month.

World Cup: Live draw at Tirapolistas Stadium: