Ancelotti Names Brazil's 26: Marquinhos Captain, Vinícius Headlines, Neymar Returns From Santos
Carlo Ancelotti has named Brazil's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. PSG captain Marquinhos wears the armband, Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior leads the attack and Neymar returns from Santos. Brazil chase a record sixth title 24 years after their last. Group C: Morocco, Haiti, Scotland. Opener at MetLife on June 13.
C arlo Ancelotti has named Brazil's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. The record five-time champions are the only nation to feature at every edition of the tournament and arrive in North America 24 years after their last title at South Korea/Japan 2002. The squad blends the European-based generation already used through Ancelotti's first year in charge with the wave of younger forwards now coming through.
Marquinhos captain, Vinícius headlines a deep attack
PSG captain Marquinhos wears the armband and anchors the back line alongside Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhães. Vinícius Júnior leads the attack, alongside Raphinha (Barcelona), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Lyon's Endrick, Brentford's Igor Thiago, Zenit's Luiz Henrique and the Bournemouth teenager Rayan. Neymar, now back at Santos, returns to the squad in the midfield band.
A 24-year drought that ended last time on US soil
The last time Brazil waited 24 years to win the World Cup, they ended that drought on North American soil at USA 1994. The symmetry is the unspoken hook of the squad release. Ancelotti, whose CBF contract was extended through the 2030 cycle this month, has the deepest goalkeeping group of any side in the tournament with Alisson, Ederson and Weverton. Bruno Guimarães and Casemiro hold the midfield, with Lucas Paquetá restored at Flamengo and the veteran Fabinho providing cover.
Group C opener at MetLife
Brazil play their three group matches in the United States. They open against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on June 13, face Haiti at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 19 and close the group against Scotland at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on June 24. It is a draw that suits the side's rhythm: a marquee against the Atlas Lions, a winnable game against Haiti, then a tactical contest against a Steve Clarke Scotland that is back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998.