Brazil 'best team in the world' - new boss Ancelotti

New Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said he is "honoured and proud to lead nan champion squad successful nan world" and targeted winning nan 2026 World Cup.

The 65-year-old was unveiled arsenic Brazil leader successful a news convention astatine nan Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) headquarters.

The Italian joins nan Selecao having been Real Madrid head for nan past 4 years. He has won nan Champions League connected 3 occasions and nan La Liga title doubly complete 2 spells successful charge.

Ancelotti besides guided AC Milan to go European champions twice, won nan Premier League and FA Cup pinch Chelsea arsenic good arsenic nan French and German home titles pinch Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich respectively.

"I person a large occupation up of me," he said. "I'm delighted, nan situation is great. I've ever had a typical relationship pinch this team. We're going to activity to make Brazil champions again.

"I'm honoured and proud to lead nan champion squad successful nan world."

Brazil person won nan World Cup 5 times, pinch nan astir caller triumph successful 2002, and Ancelotti's first games pinch them are 2 South American World Cup qualifiers.

They play against Ecuador distant connected 5 June earlier a location crippled against Paraguay successful Sao Paulo 5 days later.

Ancelotti was welcomed by erstwhile Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and has replaced Dorival Junior, who was sacked astatine nan extremity of March pursuing a 4–1 conclusion by Argentina, a humiliating nonaccomplishment that was nan latest successful a bid of mediocre results.

Brazil are 4th in South American World Cup qualifying pinch 4 matches to go, pinch nan apical six teams earning nonstop qualification to nan title successful nan United States, Canada and Mexico.

The team's struggles began much than 2 years agone erstwhile they were knocked retired of nan 2022 World Cup by Croatia connected penalties successful nan quarter-finals. They person since mislaid 5 of their past 14 games, conceding 16 goals.

Ancelotti has selected Manchester United midfielder Casemiro and Tottenham guardant Richarlison successful his first squad for adjacent week's World Cup qualifiers.

The brace person not played for their state since a 2-0 nonaccomplishment to Uruguay successful October 2023.

The 25-man group besides includes Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira, Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, Arsenal guardant Gabriel Martinelli and Wolves' Matheus Cunha, who is group to move to Manchester United.

Antony, connected indebtedness astatine Real Betis from Manchester United, is expected to play successful nan Conference League last for nan Spanish broadside against Chelsea connected Wednesday and he has besides been picked.

Striker Neymar has been ruled retired arsenic he recovers from a thigh wounded he sustained successful April, though he made a substitute quality for Santos connected Sunday successful their 1-0 triumph complete Vitoria successful Brazil's Serie A.

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Hugo Souza (Corinthians).

Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Ortiz, Wesley (all Flamengo), Alexsandro (Lille), Lucas Beraldo, Marquinhos (both Paris St-Germain), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan), Vanderson (Monaco).

Midfielders: Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Ederson (Atalanta), Gerson (Flamengo).

Forwards: Antony (Real Betis), Estevao (Palmeiras), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Wolves), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid).