RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – “The favorites are always the same: Argentina, the reigning champions, and among the Europeans, Spain, who are doing very well, France with so much individual quality, and England, who haven’t won in a long time. But of course, Brazil are also among the favorites.” Carlo Ancelotti makes no secret of it; after all, the Brazilian FA pursued him for a long time, convinced he was the right man to take them back to the top. The coach from Reggiolo knows that competition at the 2026 World Cup will be fierce (“I’d also include Italy, even if they’re having some trouble in qualifying, and Germany among the favorites”) but insists “we’re ready to compete against anyone.”
Interviewed by ESPN, Ancelotti expressed satisfaction with the progress made in recent months: “Obviously, we need to improve many things. What I liked most in the first three matches is that we defended well, and that’s the key to being successful at the World Cup: if Brazil defend well, with the quality they have, they can win.”
The question remains whether Neymar will still have a role with the Seleção. “I spoke with him, he came to the hotel before the match against Paraguay,” Ancelotti explained. “I see him as a playmaker or forward, but he must play centrally. Everyone knows his talent, but in modern football, to make the most of it, a player needs to be in top physical condition. If he’s at his best physically, he won’t have any problem being part of the national team. I told Neymar this: ‘you have time to prepare in the best possible way to be there and help the national team achieve the maximum at the World Cup.’”
Ancelotti is under contract until the end of the 2026 World Cup, but an extension is not ruled out. “Preparing for the World Cup with Brazil is something special. I signed a one-year contract, after that everything is open. At that moment, it felt right to sign for a year, but I’d have no problem continuing if the federation wanted. I’m very happy here, my family is happy. We’ll think about it. We have time to discuss it, I have no problem staying. It would be nice to remain until 2030.”
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
