Carlo Ancelotti has already announced the list of the 26 players who will represent Brazil at the World Cup. A list that was full of doubts that have now been resolved, especially because of the possible call-up of Neymar, which has finally become a reality.

The “Canarinha” is in Group C with Morocco (they will play on June 14), Haiti (June 20) and Scotland (June 25). Before the World Cup, they will play a friendly against Panama and another against Egypt.

This will be Carlo Ancelotti’s first World Cup as a coach (he played in two as a player) and his first official tournament after sealing his renewal until 2030. Brazil will be aiming for their sixth World Cup, following the debacles in the last five World Cups in which they have not managed to get past the semifinals. That fourth-place finish came in 2014 when they hosted the tournament and Germany handed them a 1-7 thrashing at the Maracanã.

Brazil will always be a favorite in the World Cups, and this one will be no exception. Carlo Ancelotti has achieved the greatest successes at club level and now is going after international ones, and he will have an “army” of 26 warriors ready to give it their all. 

“It is a list that has been made after many evaluations throughout the year. There is a lot of competition, passion and knowledge. It has been very good work. It is not going to be perfect, but it will surely have as few mistakes as possible. It is a list to do the best possible in the World Cup“, were Carlo’s statements upon his arrival.

Official list

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahçe) and Weverton (Gremio).

Defenders: Danilo (Flamengo), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibáñez (Al Ahli), Alex Sandro (Flamengo) and Douglas Santos (Zenit).

Midfielders: Casemiro (Manchester United), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al Ittihad) and Paquetá (Flamengo).

Forwards: Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Neymar (Santos), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) and Endrick (Olympique de Lyon).

marca.com

Pep Guardiola’s extraordinary Manchester City era could be close to its final act.

According to the Daily Mail, the City boss is expected to leave the club this summer, bringing down the curtain on one of the most dominant managerial reigns English football has seen.

If the report proves correct, City will lose far more than a head coach.

Guardiola has shaped the club’s modern identity since arriving from Bayern Munich in 2016, turning City into a relentless force in the Premier League and finally delivering the Champions League title that had eluded them for years.

His departure would also come at a time when the squad is already changing, with long time pillars of the Guardiola era either gone or approaching the end of their own spells.

Guardiola’s Manchester City era nears its end

Guardiola’s record at City is almost impossible to separate from the club’s modern rise.

He brought a tactical clarity and intensity that changed expectations across the Premier League, pushing rivals to chase a level of consistency that few could match.

City’s best years under him were not only about trophies. They were about control, possession, pressure and the sense that opponents often had to play a perfect game just to survive.

That is why any exit would feel like a defining moment for English football, not just for City.

The club may have the structure, wealth and squad planning to remain powerful, but replacing Guardiola’s influence would be a very different challenge.
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​Enzo Maresca favourite to replace Guardiola

According to reports, Enzo Maresca is the favourite to succeed Guardiola if the Spaniard leaves this summer.

That would make sense given Maresca’s history with the club and his connection to Guardiola’s footballing ideas.

Maresca previously worked at City as part of Guardiola’s setup and also managed the club’s elite development squad, giving him a strong understanding of the structure, expectations and playing philosophy at the Etihad.

marca.com

Croatia national team head coach Zlatko Dalić has announced a preliminary squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The squad announced on Monday features a mix of experienced internationals and emerging talents as Croatia begin their final preparations for the tournament.

Goalkeepers

Dominik Livaković, Dominik Kotarski, Ivor Pandur.

Defenders

Joško Gvardiol, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Šutalo, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongračić, Martin Erlić, Luka Vušković.

Midfielders

Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Luka Sučić, Martin Baturina, Kristijan Jakić, Petar Sučić, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk.

Attackers

Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, Marco Pašalić, Petar Musa, Igor Matanović.

Stand-by

Lovro Majer, Franjo Ivanović, Dion Drena Beljo, Ivan Smolčić, Karlo Letica, Adrian Segečić, Luka Stojković.

Dalić highlighted strong competition in the attacking department, noting that several forwards are in good form.

He pointed out that selection decisions were influenced by current performances, with players such as Musa and Matanović in strong form, while Beljo was left out due to the depth of competition rather than form alone but is on stand-by.

Dalić said his dilemmas were whether he should take five centre-backs or not.

“Gvardiol has started playing again and he is on the list. The slight issue is that he was out for six months, but through his training and hard work I believe he will be at full fitness and in the starting line-up at the World Cup, and a great addition for us.”

There was no room though for Lovro Majer. 

“I have not yet spoken with Majer. He was injured for a long time and has been having issues at his club. Since the last gathering in the United States, he has not started a single match. I am very sorry, but his status at the club has led to him being on the standby list. His situation at the club ultimately meant he did not make the main squad.”

World Cup Fixtures

Croatia open their 2026 World Cup campaign on 17 June against England in Dallas.

They will then face Panama on 23 June in Toronto, before concluding the group stage against Ghana on 27 June in Philadelphia.

Preparations and Friendly Matches

Croatia will gather on 25 May and begin preparations in Rijeka, where they will also face Belgium in a friendly match on 2 June.

On 6 June, the squad travels to Varaždin for a friendly against Slovenia on 7 June. Two days later, the team is scheduled to depart for Washington ahead of the World Cup.