Carlo Ancelotti has named his Brazil squad for their final two warm-up fixtures before the 2026 World Cup, calling up 26 players for friendlies against France in Boston on March 26 and Croatia in Orlando on April 1.
The squad carries few surprises at its core. Vinicius Junior leads the attack, joined by Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha and Endrick, with teenage forwards Igor Thiago and Rayan among those given a chance to push for a World Cup spot.
In goal, Alisson, Ederson and Bento make up a settled trio, while Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes anchor a centre-back group that also includes Bremer, Leo Pereira and Ibañez.
The most notable inclusion is Gabriel Sara, who plays under Okan Buruk at Galatasaray and has been drafted in to fill the gap left by Bruno Guimaraes, currently sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained at Newcastle.
Sara has six goals and three assists this season, and his performance in Galatasaray’s 1-0 Champions League win over Liverpool last Tuesday caught Ancelotti’s attention, per Yahoo Sports.
Neymar is absent again.
The Santos forward was never in the reckoning for this window. Ancelotti confirmed to reporters on Monday that his position has not changed, insisting that any consideration of Neymar for the World Cup squad will happen in May when the final call-up is made, and only if the 34-year-old can demonstrate he is in peak physical condition.
The Italian earlier said his squad for the tournament is already “virtually defined,” and that these two friendlies are about finalising the fringes rather than rethinking the foundation.
The March window will also serve as the debut of Brazil’s new World Cup kits, with the traditional yellow strip expected to be worn against France and the blue away kit making its first appearance against Croatia.
