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Ancelotti Keeps Brazil World Cup Squad Open as Final Selection Nears

Brazil national team manager Carlo Ancelotti has stated that his squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup is nearly finalized but remains open for last-minute adjustments. He praised the Brazilian Football Confederation for its extensive pre-tournament planning and logistics, including a private training base in New Jersey. Brazil will prepare with friendlies against France, Croatia, and potentially Panama and Egypt before the tournament. The team will begin its Group C campaign against Morocco in June.

Key Points: Ancelotti on Brazil's Final World Cup Squad Selection

  • Squad not 100% finalized
  • Praise for CBF logistics
  • Pre-tournament friendlies scheduled
  • Training base in New Jersey
  • Group C matches set
2 min read

Ancelotti keeps Brazil World Cup squad open

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti says his World Cup squad is nearly final but remains open for late adjustments as players push for selection.

"It is not closed... The list is not closed, but we are close to the final list. - Carlo Ancelotti"

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 3

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti said he is close to finalising his squad for this year's FIFA World Cup, but left the door open for adjustments.

With much of the European season still to be played, Ancelotti said there was time for players to push late claims for selection.

"It is not closed," the Italian said at an event in Rio de Janeiro. "I have said before that Brazil is lucky to have many good players. The list is not closed, but we are close to the final list. There are some positions that are not 100% defined."

Ancelotti praised the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) for its pre-tournament planning. The CBF announced last month that Brazil would be based in New Jersey, using the modern Columbia Park complex in Morristown as its main training facility, reports Xinhua.

"I think at this moment we have very good logistics, a fantastic training center, a very private hotel to work well," the 66-year-old said.

"The CBF allowed us to focus on the technical side and gave us peace of mind to work well for the World Cup, which is very important. We are preparing with positivity and optimism."

The World Cup will be played from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Brazil will begin its Group C campaign against Morocco on June 13 before facing Haiti on June 19 and Scotland on June 24.

Ancelotti's team will prepare for the tournament with friendlies against France in Boston on March 26 and Croatia in Orlando five days later.

The CBF is also reportedly close to confirming a friendly against Panama in late May and a final warmup match against Egypt in the United States on June 6.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see the planning is solid. The logistics and training base sound excellent. In a tournament, these small comforts can make a big difference for player morale. Hope the final squad selection is based purely on current form and not past reputation.
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Aman W
As a football fan, I appreciate the transparency. The friendlies against France and Croatia are perfect tests. But I respectfully think he needs to finalize the core 15-16 players soon to build chemistry. Too much uncertainty can be counterproductive.
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Sarah B
The group looks manageable, but you can never take any match lightly in a World Cup. Scotland can be tricky. Hoping for a strong, cohesive unit. The passion for football here in India is huge, and everyone will be watching Brazil's matches!
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Vikram M
Brazil has the talent pool to field two world-class teams! The real challenge for Ancelotti is managing egos and picking a balanced squad. Defence and midfield need to be rock solid. Can't just rely on flashy forwards. Jai Hind, but also... Força Brasil! 😄

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