A defeat to France, Raphinha despatched dwelling injured for 5 weeks, Vini Jr uncertain, and a stadium filled with supporters calling for an absent Neymar. This was imagined to be Brazil’s last tune-up earlier than the World Cup. It changed into one thing much more alarming.
The Final Rehearsal Earlier than the World Cup — And It Went Fallacious Instantly
This worldwide break carried extra weight than most. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicking off in simply three months, Brazil’s back-to-back fixtures in opposition to France and Croatia had been meant to function Carlo Ancelotti’s last costume rehearsal — an opportunity to sharpen mixtures, check his finest eleven, and ship a message to the remainder of the world that the Seleção are prepared.
As a substitute, what unfolded at Foxborough Stadium was probably the most uncomfortable nights of Ancelotti’s still-young tenure as Brazil head coach. The Seleção had been overwhelmed 2-1 by France, and tellingly, that defeat got here regardless of France taking part in with ten males for a good portion of the match after Dayot Upamecano’s pink card. Brazil couldn’t capitalise. Couldn’t impose themselves. And when the frustration within the stands reached boiling level, the gang didn’t name for Ancelotti to vary his techniques. They referred to as for Neymar — a participant who wasn’t even within the squad.
Ancelotti, requested about it afterwards, gave a response that mentioned every thing about his temper: “We should always discuss those that had been right here.”
Raphinha’s Harm: A Blow That Goes Past Brazil
The evening in opposition to France price Brazil extra than simply factors. Raphinha, their most dynamic huge participant this season, picked up a biceps femoris harm to his proper hamstring throughout the match and has been despatched again to Barcelona to start remedy. In response to the official FC Barcelona harm assertion, the winger will likely be sidelined for about 5 weeks.
That timeline is devastating on two fronts. It guidelines Raphinha out of Brazil’s upcoming fixture in opposition to Croatia. Extra critically for Barcelona, it guidelines him out of their Champions League quarter-final in opposition to Atletico Madrid — arguably the most important match of the membership’s season.
What makes this even tougher to abdomen for the Catalan membership is the way wherein it occurred. Raphinha had reportedly flagged to the Brazil teaching workers earlier than kick-off that he was experiencing discomfort in his hamstring. He was chosen anyway, for a pleasant, 1000’s of miles from dwelling, in the midst of a gruelling season. Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s head coach, is claimed to be livid — and given the circumstances, it’s troublesome to argue with him.
Vini Jr, Rodrygo, Estevão: A Depleted Assault With No Straightforward Repair
Raphinha will not be the one casualty. Vinicius Jr, Brazil’s most harmful attacking weapon, is nursing muscular discomfort following the depth of the France match and was absent from collective coaching on Saturday. He’s anticipated to overlook the beginning lineup in opposition to Croatia, leaving Ancelotti with out his two most influential forwards in the identical week.
The issues didn’t begin in Foxborough, both. Rodrygo was dominated out earlier than the camp even started, whereas Estevão — the sensible younger Chelsea ahead who has been one of many brightest rising abilities in world soccer — additionally missed the call-up via harm. With Marquinhos managing a hip downside that saved him out in opposition to France and leaving him unsure for Croatia, the squad Ancelotti has really been capable of work with barely resembles the group he wants to organize.
The complete goal of this window was to construct tactical cohesion earlier than the World Cup. With half his first-choice gamers both absent or managing accidents, that goal has been nearly totally inconceivable to attain.
The Neymar Query That Received’t Go Away
After which there’s Neymar. The query that dominates each press convention, follows each squad announcement, and now apparently fills total stadium chants. For a have a look at simply how central Neymar has been to Neymar’s switch historical past and the Brazilian id through the years, the size of his cultural weight is difficult to overstate.
Marquinhos, talking publicly, made his place clear: he believes Neymar could make it again and desires him within the squad. “I sincerely assume it’s going to occur,” the captain mentioned. “As teammates, as Brazilians and supporters, we wish him at this World Cup.”
Ancelotti has been extra guarded, repeating his place that this can be a bodily analysis fairly than a technical one. “I observe every thing, I hear every thing,” he mentioned. “My position is to make selections. Neymar is doing properly with the ball. He wants to enhance bodily.” It’s a cautious, measured reply — however when your stadium is chanting an absent participant’s identify throughout a defeat, measured solutions solely go thus far.
A Window of Noise Round Brazil’s Summer season Plans
Past the accidents and the Neymar debate, there’s a wider image of motion and hypothesis constructing round Brazil’s squad because the World Cup approaches. A number of gamers linked with summer season transfers might see their membership conditions affect their availability and kind heading into the match. For the newest on each deal involving Brazilian stars and the golf equipment round them, our switch rumours part tracks each growth because it occurs.
Three Months to Repair a Damaged Window
The World Cup is ninety days away. Brazil have the squad depth, when totally match, to compete with anybody. However proper now, Ancelotti is managing a disaster fairly than constructing a soccer group. The Brazil that confirmed up in opposition to France didn’t seem like World Cup 2026 contenders. They appeared disjointed, wanting key figures, and psychologically unsettled by the noise surrounding Neymar’s potential return.
The definitive squad listing is because of be introduced on Could 18th. Between from time to time, Ancelotti wants his gamers match, targeted, and again on the coaching pitch. He wants the Neymar query resolved come what may. And he wants a efficiency in opposition to Croatia that provides each his squad and the Brazilian public one thing to imagine in.
The final costume rehearsal didn’t go to plan. The true present begins in June — and proper now, Brazil are nonetheless studying their strains.
Sports activities journalist, content material author and passionate soccer lover.
