Carlo Ancelotti playing with weaker Brazil cards but reasons to keep faith with Neymar and Co at World Cup

A World Cup brings unrivalled levels of excitement for Brazilians. Their country has taken part in every tournament since 1930 in Uruguay, lifting the trophy five times. They gave the world Pelé, Garrincha, Zico, Socrates, Romario, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Ronaldo and dozens of other wizardry talents. “I thought Brazil were everybody’s second team,” said former Scotland defender Alan Hansen in 2002. He wasn’t far wrong.

The current 24-year wait for a World Cup-winning celebration increases pressure on Brazil’s squad ahead of this summer’s competition. Successes in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002 are part of the country’s folklore. There is now a nationwide longing for a sixth victory, or “hexa” to use the local dialect. A new generation now crave the experience of a Copacabana Samba party following a World Cup final. It is considered a Brazilian birthright.

Carlo Ancelotti, the wily Italian coach, is the man the people expect to provide that glory. He has lifted more silverware than cups of coffee in his lifetime. Can he satisfy the demands of the Brazilian people? Can he justify his $12 million [£8.6m] annual salary from the national association, the Confederação Brasileira de Futebol [CBF] He will earn a $5.8m [£4.3m] bonus if he succeeds.

Ancelotti is the highest-paid manager in international football but facing one of his biggest tests this summer with a squad that is not vintage Brazil. Morocco, Haiti and Scotland will not be viewed as especially formidable Group C opponents by CBF officials, however they must take into account the lack of genuine superstars from the current Brazilian team. Neymar is still the poster boy, but more of him later.

Captain Casemiro, inset, is now 34 and past his peak of five Champions League trophies at Real Madrid. He is no Dunga. The defence is also ageing with Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos now 32, and the Flamengo pair Danilo Luiz and Alex Sandro 34 and 35 respectively. Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior is hugely talented but not in Ronaldinho or Rivaldo’s class. It is a tricky situation.

Brazil finished fifth in the South American World Cup qualification league table. Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia and Uruguay were above them, with Paraguay directly below. The top six qualified for the finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico. It was not considered a terribly inspiring campaign and fans of the “Selecao” know improvement is vital if their nation is to have any chance of lifting the trophy on 19 July.

Since the start of 2025, Brazil have played 12 games. They recorded six wins, four defeats and two draws. They beat Colombia, Paraguay, Chile, South Korea, Senegal and Croatia. The two draws came against Ecuador and Tunisia, with losses against Argentina, Bolivia, Japan and France. That form does not suggest world champions in waiting, but football is so popular because it is often unpredictable.

Why Brazil called up Neymar

Ancelotti is acutely aware of the circumstances and the need for both experience and expertise over the next few weeks. Which is why he recalled Neymar. He is Brazil’s national hero, a modern-day Ronaldinho, and adored so widely that there were street parties when his inclusion in the World Cup squad was announced. No-one has scored more goals for the national team - 79 in 128 games, plus 59 assists. But Neymar is also 34 and there are questions over his fitness ever since a knee injury in 2023. He has played only 15 times for his club, Santos, since last summer.

The people don’t seem to care all that much, they are simply elated seeing his name in there. In terms of PR, Ancelotti made a wise choice. It remains to be seen what role Neymar is given against Morocco, Haiti and Scotland - especially with a fresh injury to deal with - but this will be his last chance to win a World Cup.

Ancelotti is no stranger to the Scots with family based in Penicuik, Midlothian, since his mother-in-law married a Scotsman. Don’t expect any sentiment, however. Carlo may be the coolest 66-year-old you will find prowling a technical area with that raised eyebrow, but he is also the most ruthless. You don’t lift three Champions Leagues and every league title in all five of Europe’s top leagues unless you are a born winner.

He may have one Brazilian maverick up his sleeve as he attempts to add the World Cup to that illustrious trophy list. Endrick, the 19-year-old striker, pictured left, has the potential to be the emerging talent of this tournament. He is already a Real Madrid player but on loan at Lyon, where he scored eight goals and registered eight assists in 21 appearances this season.

He is confident, stocky, with a searing burst of pace and the ability to weave through defences to score. Sounds a bit like a few other Brazilians we’ve seen over the years. If he can produce on the biggest stage, immortality awaits back home. Getting an opportunity to prove himself is perhaps his biggest challenge. Ancelotti has named only five midfielders in Brazil’s World Cup squad – but there are nine forwards. Neymar, Vinicius Junior and Endrick are joined by Raphinha of Barcelona, Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha from Manchester United, Zenit St Petersburg’s Luiz Henrique, Igor Thiago of Brentford and 19-year-old Rayan from Bournemouth.

A few on that list are very much fringe players. The standard of this Brazil squad is not what we have come to expect, yet it is still Brazil. The name alone can instil fear in opponents. The World Cup songs are already blasting out of cafes and bars across Rio, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte and pretty much every other major city and town. The trademark yellow, green and blue is everywhere, along with the “Verde e Amarela” national flag. Ancelotti has gathered the best group of players he can muster. Write them off at your peril.