How Brazil could line up under Carlo Ancelotti

We assess how Brazil could line up under new manager Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Embarking on his first managerial role in international football, the legendary Ancelotti has vowed to make Brazil 'champions again' ahead of next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico after departing Real Madrid.

"I'm delighted, the challenge is great. I've always had a special connection with this team. We're going to work to make Brazil champions again," Ancelotti told a press conference at the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters.

65-year-old Ancelotti has become Brazil's first non-Brazilian national to manage the Seleção since Argentine Filpo Nunez in 1965.

A five-time UEFA Champions League winner as a manager across spells at Milan and Real Madrid, Ancelotti's remit as Brazil boss is clear: deliver the nation's much craved sixth World Cup title.

With Ancelotti already familiar with a number of the players at his disposal, we take a look at how the Italian could set up his Brazil side ahead of the World Cup next year.

Preferred formation

Although Carlo Ancelotti has used several formations throughout his lengthy managerial career, the Italian most commonly utilised variations of a 4-3-3 set up in his most recent tenure at Real Madrid.

In the 2024/25 season, following the signing of French superstar Kylian Mbappe as a free agent from Paris Saint-Germain, Los Blancos typically lined up with a front three of the France international flanked by Brazilian duo Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.

Prior to Mbappe's arrival, Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League winning side of 2023/24 was constructed in a not dissimilar shape, although the front three commonly consisted of Jude Bellingham in behind two split strikers in the form of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.

In Ancelotti's Class of 2013/14 - who delivered La Decima with a 4-1 win over rivals Atletico Madrid after extra time in the UEFA Champions League final in Lisbon - Los Blancos were again set up in a 4-3-3 formation with an attacking trident of Karim Benzema through the middle and Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo on either flank.

Style of play and tactics

Again, applying focus on Ancelotti's approach in his most recent managerial role at Real Madrid, the legendary Italian was defined by his emphasis on providing a platform for his players to play to their maximum level and operate with freedom.

Ancelotti therefore seeks to construct a system and way of playing that allows his players to occupy positions in which they are most comfortable and capable of achieving success alongside their teammates.

In Real Madrid's 2023/24 campaign, which saw them win a 15th UEFA Champions League title, Ancelotti utilised Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo as split strikers to maximise the threat of their pace in behind, whilst Bellingham was played in an advanced midfield role to provide a significant goal threat when making runs into the box.

Following the signing of Mbappe from PSG, Ancelotti was forced to adapt, with the Frenchman assuming the status of talisman in the Real Madrid ranks with Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo flanking him within a classic front three.

Irrespective of formation, Ancelotti expects his team to be proactive and seek to dominate possession given their technical proficiency.

Ancelotti's sides have often been characterised by their ruthlessness in counter-attacking situations, with the Italian having been blessed with attacking players with explosive speed who are capable of incisive play in transition.

The new Brazil manager therefore likes his teams to play on the front foot, but if the opposition do have the ball his charges will be programmed to act quickly and decisively to cause damage once they regain possession.

Personnel

In goal, as one of the finest shot-stoppers on the planet, Liverpool's Alisson Becker looks nailed-on to be Ancelotti's number one for Brazil.

In defence, PSG captain Marquinhos is perhaps the only player assured of a place in Ancelotti's preferred back four.

A favourite of the Italian manager at Real Madrid, a fully fit Eder Militao will hope to find a way into Brazil's first XI in time for next year's World Cup, while Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhes has developed into one of the best centre-backs in Europe in recent seasons.

Eder Miltao could therefore find a place at right-back, where he has been deployed at club level before, although he will face competition from highly-rated AS Monaco full-back Vanderson who may land a big move this summer.

Left-back represents a problem area for Brazil and one position in which Ancelotti may wish to try out a few options prior to the World Cup.

Inter's Carlos Augusto, AS Monaco's Caio Henrique and veteran Alex Sandro are natural left-backs capable of filling this role, while Lucas Beraldo of PSG or Murillo of Nottingham Forest could operate at left-back despite typically playing as central defenders.

In midfield, Newcastle United favourite Bruno Guimaraes seems a lock considering his status as one of the most distinguished players in his position in the Premier League.

Alongside Guimaraes there is likely to be stiff competition for places, with incoming Brazil boss Ancelotti typically favouring a three-man midfield as part of his preferred 4-3-3 formation.

Atalanta's Ederson has received plenty of plaudits for his performances in Serie A and the UEFA Champions League, with his starting credentials for his country perhaps set to be strengthened amidst transfer speculation linking him to some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

Guimaraes' Newcastle teammate Joelinton, Chelsea's on-loan Andrey Santos, Juventus' Douglas Luiz and Joao Gomes of Wolves are all also in the frame to form Ancelotti's picks in the engine room.

Brazil has a storied history of developing world-class attacking talent, with Ancelotti's current selection pool certainly not short in the final third.

Working closely with the pair at Real Madrid, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo will both be expected to be at the forefront of Ancelotti's plans with Brazil.

How the Italian fuses all of Brazil's attacking stars together within a cohesive system is likely to represent Ancelotti's biggest tactical conundrum, with Barcelona's Raphinha most effective on the left wing - the same favoured position as Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr.

Although Brazil have an abundance of top wingers at present, there does appear to be a relative dearth of established central strikers of world-leading calibre, with Brighton's Joao Pedro, Man Utd bound Matheus Cunha and Real Madrid youngster Endrick perhaps all eyeing a run at this place in the team in the lead-up to the World Cup.

Possible starting XI

(4-3-3): Alisson, Vanderson, Marquinhos (c), Gabriel, Murillo, Guimaraes, Ederson, Andrey Santos, Rodrygo, Joao Pedro, Vinicius Jr.