Carlo Ancelotti's big challenge six months before the World Cup: Make Brazil a favorite

The 2026 World Cup is getting closer and the Brazil national team is still far from consolidating itself as one of the favorites to lift the trophy, despite having one of the best coaches in the world in Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian tactician arrived after his successful spell with Real Madrid, a club with which he won everything. However, the Verdeamarela has faced inconsistencies in its recent results: four wins, two draws and two defeats.

Brazil is historically a team that combines talent with spectacle, but at the moment it is looking for balance under the direction of Carlo Ancelotti, who has problems in attack, defensive doubts and regularity in his full-backs. He now faces a monumental challenge to make Brazil a competitive and favourite team just six months before the World Cup.

Carlo Ancelotti and the uncertainty in Brazil's full-backs and midfield ahead of the 2026 World Cup

One of Ancelotti's main challenges ahead of the 2026 World Cup is his full-backs; on the right side he has options such as Paulo Henrique, Vanderson, Vitinho and Wesley, who have already been tested. On the left side, the uncertainty is between Alex Sandro Caio Henrique and Douglas Santos, but none of them has won an undisputed starting place. The Italian strategist has even tried Militao at full-back against Senegal, but everything fell apart in the game against Tunisia when he was injured.

In the center of the field, Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes seem to be fixed in Ancelotti's starting XI. However, it is still being evaluated which player will give them offensive support depending on the opponent and the tactical situation, with Raphinha, Lucas Paqueta and Rodrygo as options.

Brazil's forwards heading to the 2026 World Cup: Will Ancelotti call up Neymar Jr?

Carlo Ancelotti has shown different variations in attack since his arrival in Brazil, even playing with up to four players up front, although this is perhaps the area that has the most talent with players such as:

• Vinicius Jr. - Real Madrid
• Rodrygo - Real Madrid
• Raphinha - Barcelona
• Estevao - Chelsea
• Matheus Cunha - Manchester United

However, it was Stevao who scored the most goals under Carlo Ancelotti, a young jewel who came from Palmeiras and is living his first season in Europe with Chelsea in the Premier League. However, Gabriel Martinelli, Vitor Roque and Pedro want to join the above list of strikers, as they fight for the last places in the final squad.

But without a doubt, the player who has generated the most expectation about a possible call-up is Neymar Jr., who has returned to Santos in Brazil after playing in Saudi Arabia and is looking to be healthy and 100% to be considered by Carlo Ancelotti, who has already said that "Neymar is on the list of players who can go to the World Cup", giving him six months to get fit.

Now time is running out and with only six months to go until the World Cup, Ancelotti will have to find the formula to get Brazil on track as one of the favourites for the next World Cup.