BRA
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP C · POT 1

Brazil
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Carlo Ancelotti · First World Cup as head coach (appointed Brazil HC May 2025; 5-time Champions League winner as a club manager)
MD1 Jun 13 vs Morocco MD2 Jun 20 vs Haiti MD3 Jun 24 vs Scotland
22th World Cup appearance · best finish: Champions (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
26
Squad size
28.8
Avg. age
19 / 26
Overseas-based
15 / 11
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Carlo Ancelotti, appointed Brazil head coach in May 2025 after winning a fifth Champions League with Real Madrid, leads a five-time World Cup champion side into a tournament he has never managed before at international level.

Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) and Raphinha (Barcelona) headline the attack, while Neymar (Santos) returns at 34 for a fourth World Cup after recovering from a serious knee injury. The midfield runs through Casemiro (Manchester United), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle) and Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo), with captain Marquinhos (PSG) and Gabriel (Arsenal) anchoring the defence.

Group C pairs Brazil with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland — a draw most observers regard as comfortable, though Brazil's 2022 quarter-final exit to Croatia still stings. A strong opener against Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey is the priority.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-3-3.

Predicted 4-3-3 based on Ancelotti's recent friendlies. Neymar's role remains fluid given his recent return.

4-3-3 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

4
CB · DF
Marquinhos
Paris Saint-Germain · 32 · Ligue 1
96 caps · 7G WC: 2018, 2022
Captain & defensive anchor
CAPTAIN
7
FW · FW
Vinícius Júnior
Real Madrid · 25 · La Liga
45 caps · 7G WC: 2022
Left-wing star
ACE
10
CAM · FW
Neymar
Santos · 34
128 caps · 79G WC: 2014, 2018, 2022
All-time top scorer · 4th World Cup
5
CDM · MF
Casemiro
Manchester United · 34 · Premier League
80 caps · 9G WC: 2018, 2022
Midfield anchor
1
GK · GK
Alisson
Liverpool · 33 · Premier League
79 caps · 0G WC: 2018, 2022
World-class No.1
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 8
MF MIDFIELDERS 6
FW FORWARDS 9
GROUP C

GROUP C.

BRA
Brazil
POT 1
MAR
Morocco
POT 2
HAI
Haiti
POT 3
SCO
Scotland
POT 3
Sat, Jun 13
Brazil vs Morocco
New York New Jersey Stadium · New Jersey, USA
Ancelotti's first competitive match in charge. Morocco's compact block will be probed by Vinicius and Raphinha on the flanks.
View lineups →
MD1
Sat, Jun 20
Brazil vs Haiti
Philadelphia Stadium · Philadelphia, USA
Rotation likely. A chance for Endrick, Martinelli and Igor Thiago to make a case for knockout selections.
View lineups →
MD2
Wed, Jun 24
Scotland vs Brazil
Miami Stadium · Miami, USA
Group decider for top spot. Breaking down Scotland's physical defending is the test.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group C
  1. Round of 32 Jun 29 · Houston vs Runners-up Group F
  2. Round of 16 Jul 05 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 78
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Miami Gardens vs Winner of Match 92
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 100
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
Runners-up, Group C
  1. Round of 32 Jun 29 · Guadalupe vs Winners Group F
  2. Round of 16 Jul 04 · Houston vs Winner of Match 73
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 09 · Foxborough vs Winner of Match 89
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 98
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
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