Ancelotti reshapes Brazil squad with youth for World Cup cycle
Italy's coach calls up eight debutants and drops Casemiro as Brazil prepares for friendlies against Australia and India.
KEY POINTS
- Brazil plays Australia (Sept 25, 29) and India (Oct 3) in first friendlies of 2030 cycle
- Ancelotti retains only 9 players from 2026 World Cup squad; calls up 8 debutants
- Squad average age reduced from 28.7 to 24.9; 10 domestic-based players selected
- Casemiro steps away; Andrey Santos, Breno Bidon, Gabriel Bontempo, Matheus Martinelli join midfield
- Messi to play farewell match for Argentina vs Benin on Oct 6 in Buenos Aires
Brazil begins its 2030 World Cup cycle under Carlo Ancelotti with three friendlies during the September-October international window. The team faces Australia twice, on September 25 in Townsville and September 29 in Brisbane, before meeting India on October 3 in Kolkata.
Ancelotti has overhauled the squad that exited the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16. Only nine players from that tournament were retained, while eight uncapped players received their first senior call-ups. The average age of the group has dropped from 28.7 to 24.9 years.
“The midfield was the most fragile link of the team.”
Ten domestically based players were selected, three more than for the World Cup. Goalkeepers Otávio and Pedro Morisco, defender Arthur Dias, and midfielders Matheus Martinelli, Breno Bidon, and Gabriel Bontempo represent the new generation.
Veterans Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Bruno Guimarães, Raphinha, and Vinícius Júnior remain to provide experience. Casemiro declined to continue with the national team, leaving a void in defensive midfield that Andrey Santos is expected to help fill.
Argentina will also use the window for Lionel Messi's farewell. The 39-year-old is set to play his final match for the Albiceleste against Benin on October 6 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
In Europe, the new UEFA Nations League season kicks off with several high-profile managerial debuts, including Jürgen Klopp for Germany, Zinedine Zidane for France, and Roberto Mancini for Italy.
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