Brazil set for lineup changes again under Ancelotti as new faces join squad for Chile clash
The Brazilian national team will have a different starting lineup for the third straight time under Carlo Ancelotti when they face Chile on Thursday (Sept 4) at the Maracanã in the World Cup Qualifiers. With qualification already secured, the coach is expected to use the game as a laboratory while aiming to secure second place in the standings.
Key absences force changes
Brazil will be without star forward Vinícius Júnior, who is suspended for the match. Vanderson, Alex Sandro, and Matheus Cunha are also unavailable due to injury, leaving Ancelotti with no choice but to reshuffle his team once again.
At right-back, Wesley and Vitinho are the main candidates to start, while on the left flank the coach has options in Caio Henrique and Douglas Santos, as no direct replacement was called for Alex Sandro. In attack, Flamengo’s Samuel Lino was drafted in to replace Matheus Cunha.
Paquetá returns to midfield
One of the most notable changes is the return of Lucas Paquetá, back in the squad after being cleared in a match-fixing investigation. The West Ham midfielder, who last featured for Brazil in November 2024 against Uruguay, is expected to slot into midfield and add creativity. Paquetá has 55 caps, 11 goals, and six assists for the Seleção.
The likely lineup for Brazil is: Alisson; Wesley, Marquinhos, Alexsandro Ribeiro, Caio Henrique (Douglas Santos); Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Lucas Paquetá; Estêvão, Raphinha, and João Pedro (Richarlison).
Squad now complete
Barcelona winger Raphinha was the last player to arrive at Granja Comary on Tuesday (Sept 2), completing the 24-man squad. With the full group now available, Ancelotti oversaw the second training session in preparation for Thursday’s game.
With Brazil already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, the coach is expected to use these fixtures to experiment with tactical variations and assess player options ahead of the tournament.
