did brazil win? Not yet — Brazil opens its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Morocco on Saturday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Carlo Ancelotti is leading a squad that enters the tournament chasing its first World Cup success in 24 years.
Ancelotti And Brazil
Ancelotti has been asked to steer Brazil through a group built around experience and personality, with Paul Clement serving as an assistant. Clement said the dressing room carries a clear Brazilian rhythm before games: “It’s obviously Brazilian.”
That routine includes players juggling the ball, others sitting quietly with headphones on, and others stretching or receiving treatment. Clement said, “It’s a very religious and very spiritual atmosphere,” adding, “There’s prayer before the game and there’s prayer after the game, preceded by a few words from the captain or senior player, or the head coach or the director of the federation. It’s nice. It brings a lot of togetherness and camaraderie.”
Brazil's Spine
Clement pointed to Alisson, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes and Paqueta as the spine of the squad, with Raphinha, Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha and Neymar among the attacking options. He also singled out Marquinhos, Alisson, Casemiro and Danilo as the leadership group.
“The spine of the squad is very strong,” Clement said. “What I love about this team is that they’ve got a really good leadership group, with characters like Marquinhos, Alisson, Casemiro.”
Neymar's Return
Neymar, Brazil’s record goalscorer, has 128 caps and was called into the World Cup squad by Ancelotti almost three years after his most recent cap. That selection adds another layer to a squad already carrying the pressure of a 24-year wait for another World Cup success.
Clement said, “Carlo is always a great fit for a big team; big dressing room, big characters, big personalities.” He added, “He’s not looking for conflict with people. He’s looking to get the best out of them.”
