What do Spain and Argentina have to do with it? Ancelotti leads a complete revolution in Brazil

Only around 20 of the 26 players who featured at the 2026 World Cup will carry on with the national team, depending on how the next phase unfolds, after Neymar, Casemiro, Danilo, Weverton, Alex Sandro and Fabinho all confirmed their international retirements.

Alisson and Ederson face uncertain futures too, with no obvious heir to the Liverpool legend. Marquinhos sits in the same bracket at the back.

Carlo Ancelotti’s project already has a clear spine. Five men form it: Éder Militão, Gabriel Magalhães, Bruno Guimarães, Raphinha and Vinícius Júnior.

Once Marquinhos steps aside, the plan is to hand Bruno Guimarães the captain’s armband in the medium term, a move Ancelotti himself has approved. Raphinha and Vinícius will serve as second and third captains respectively.

Brazil’s new side will be built around that quintet, and the coaching staff want players with experience at the highest level to strengthen the project. The preliminary list features Bremer, Matheus Cunha, Igor Thiago, João Pedro, Ederson, Luiz Henrique, Gabriel Martinelli and Wesley, while the staff await the return to form of Savinho and Yan Couto.

The average age is 26. The Brazilian federation hopes these players kick on and help the new leaders guide the next generation.