EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Vinicius Jr scored a wonderful goal to give life to an otherwise languid Brazil performance as the Selecao settled for a 1-1 draw with Morocco to open their World Cup campaign. Brazil started slowly and conceded first, but a moment of magic from their main man restored parity before the break. Both sides, it seems, will take the point with more manageable opposition to come.
Neymar will not feature in Brazil’s opening World Cup match against Morocco after Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the forward is still recovering from a calf injury. While the Selecao remain hopeful of welcoming him back to training next week, growing concerns over his fitness have raised doubts about his availability beyond the tournament opener.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has hailed the impact of Carlo Ancelotti since his arrival as Brazil head coach, claiming the Italian has completely "transformed" the atmosphere in the dressing room. Ahead of their World Cup opener, the Selecao No.1 admitted the squad had endured a testing time before the former Real Madrid boss took the reins.
The 2026 World Cup is almost upon us. Over the course of the next week, the time for talking will stop, and teams will have to prove their credentials with their performances on the pitch in North America. All roads, whether through the United States, Mexico or Canada, will lead to New Jersey on July 19, and the biggest football match on the planet: the World Cup final.
Brazil's final World Cup preparations have been rocked by a significant injury scare involving Roma full-back Wesley. The defender was forced off early during the Selecao's 2-1 friendly victory over Egypt, leaving the pitch in visible distress as the tournament approaches. The situation has left manager Carlo Ancelotti concerned about Wesley's condition.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti remains optimistic that injured talisman Neymar will recover from a calf injury in time to feature at the 2026 World Cup. The Italian tactician confirmed that the 34-year-old forward is making excellent progress individually and will undergo a decisive medical scan on Monday before potentially rejoining full squad training next week.
Brazil are in a bad way. We know this because Neymar's fitness has been a topic of national debate for the past few months. Believe it or not, there are a significant number of Brazilians that believe that the Selecao has no chance of winning this summer's World Cup without a 34-year-old forward who has neither been fit nor good enough to play for his country since 2023.
Carlo Ancelotti has delivered a blunt assessment of his current Brazil squad, suggesting the Selecao no longer boast the individual icons of years gone by. The Italian tactician claims that the five-time world champions must now lean on a collective effort rather than expecting a single superstar to carry the nation to glory.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has delivered a major update on Neymar’s availability for the upcoming World Cup, insisting the superstar forward remains a core part of his plans despite ongoing fitness concerns. Speculation had grown regarding the Santos star's status after he arrived at the national team camp nursing an injury. Still, the Italian tactician has moved quickly to dismiss any talk of dropping the 34-year-old from the roster.
In an exclusive interview with GOAL, Brazil legend Kaka reflects on winning the World Cup at 20, the pressure now facing Vini Jr. and Neymar, and why the Selecao’s sixth-star dream still feels alive.
Davide Ancelotti has reached a comprehensive agreement to become the new head coach of Ligue 1 outfit Lille, marking his second standalone managerial role. The former Real Madrid assistant will officially succeed Bruno Genesio, who vacated his position at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in late May following the expiration of his contract.
Brazil have established a firm medical deadline for Neymar to retain his place in Carlo Ancelotti's final World Cup squad following another injury scare. The Santos forward remains a major doubt for upcoming warm-up matches after a grade two calf tear caused significant apprehension during the national team's initial training camp.
This is Legacy, GOAL’s podcast and feature series counting down to the 2026 World Cup. Each week, we explore the stories and the spirit behind the nations that define the world’s game. This week, we look at why Brazil turned toward the most decorated club coach on the planet, Carlo Ancelotti, how this decision reflects years of confusion in the national project, and why Ancelotti’s bond with players like Kaka and Vinicius Jr shaped their choice...
Manchester United have confirmed Michael Carrick as their permanent head coach following a successful interim spell. However, it has now been reported that the Red Devils looked at six alternative candidates, including Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti, before deciding to stick with the club legend.
Carlo Ancelotti is already feeling the heat as Brazil manager before a ball has even been kicked at the 2026 World Cup. The Italian's decision to include veteran star Neymar in his final squad has been labelled "absurd" by a former Selecao international, who has called the Santos star's recent performance levels into question.
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