Rio de Janeiro, May 27, 2025 – Brazilian football enters a new chapter as legendary Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti officially takes charge as the first foreign head coach in the history of the Brazil national football team. Upon his arrival in Rio de Janeiro, Ancelotti wasted no time in announcing a 25-man squad for Brazil’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
One of the biggest headlines from his announcement is the exclusion of star forward Neymar, who is currently recovering from an injury. “I want to pick players who are fully fit,” said Ancelotti. “Neymar is undoubtedly a key player, but he needs time to recover.”
New Era for Brazil: Ancelotti Names First Squad, Drops Neymar
Casemiro, Alisson Return – Rodrigo Left Out
The squad features some notable comebacks. Casemiro, who had been out of the national setup for a while, returns alongside goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Antony and Richarlison have also earned call-ups. Surprisingly, Rodrygo has been left out of the squad this time.
Brazil is set to face Ecuador on June 5 and Paraguay on June 10, two crucial matches on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Brazil is Now My Home” – Ancelotti
Ancelotti received a warm welcome from CBF President Samir Zaud, who gifted him the iconic number 10 Brazil jersey at the airport. In his first press conference, Ancelotti expressed his excitement:
“It’s an honor to coach the best national team in the world. I’ve worked with many great Brazilian players like Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Cafu, and recently Vinícius, Militão, and Rodrygo. I feel a deep connection with Brazilian football.”
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) shared a special message:
“Welcome Carlo Ancelotti. Brazil is now your home.”
By leaving out Neymar and recalling experienced names like Casemiro and Alisson, Ancelotti has made it clear that form and fitness are the top selection criteria in his Brazil. With the qualifiers approaching, fans are eager to see if this new era of Brazilian football lives up to the expectations.
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