Ancelotti backs Brazil to challenge World Cup rivals despite injury concerns

EAST RUTHERFORD, United States (AFP) — Carlo Ancelotti has backed Brazil to stand up to any opponent at the World Cup, saying on Friday that the five-time champions have enough quality to pursue their first global title since 2002.

The Italian, who has won the Champions League five times as a club manager, is preparing to lead a national team at football’s biggest event for the first time. His Brazil side open Group C against Morocco in New Jersey on Saturday.

“It’s a new experience, it’s a new responsibility to represent the country of football,” Ancelotti said before the match. “It comes down to two words: responsibility and honour. It’s a unique and very beautiful moment in my career.

“We have a team that can compete with every team in the world, we’re convinced of that. It’s a team with quality and experience, and with absolute confidence that it can compete with anyone,” he added.

Ancelotti, 67, said he expects the tournament to be highly “balanced” and believes his players are ready for Morocco. Brazil’s group also features Scotland and Haiti.

The South Americans reached the United States with questions hanging over them after an uneven qualifying run in which they lost six of 18 games. They ended the campaign in fifth place, a finish that would have sent them into the play-offs under previous formats.

Brazil are also dealing with attacking absences. Injured forwards Rodrygo and Estevao are unavailable, while Neymar will sit out the opening fixture.

Neymar, 34, picked up a right calf injury in mid-May. Ancelotti said he is expected to resume training next week. The forward has not appeared for Brazil since 2023.

“Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible,” Ancelotti said. “We called him up not only for his football ability, which is indisputable, but also for the experience and example he can give to the younger players in the group.”