Ancelotti, who was appointed Brazil head coach in May 2025 ahead of the 2026 World Cup, said he was happy to be in India and hoped the game would provide his team with a chance to showcase its quality.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday that his side “respects” India and is looking forward to an entertaining contest when the two teams meet on Saturday. The celebrated Italian manager, a five-time Champions League winner, said the match against India should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a test for his players.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday that his side “respects” India and is looking forward to an entertaining contest when the two teams meet on Saturday.
“I hope it will be an entertaining game. We are still defining the final squad for the match. It’s not a test, but an opportunity. “We have respect for the quality of the Indian team. They played a good draw against Panama. The veteran manager also spoke about Brazil’s preparations for the new cycle and the need to bring together a squad featuring several new players. “It’s a pleasure to work with all of the new members. Not only them, but the whole squad. Asked to name his starting XI, Ancelotti simply replied: “No. The Italian also explained the difference between working with a club and managing a national team. The most notable changes have come in goal, with Brazil leaving out their World Cup goalkeeping trio of Alisson, Ederson and Weverton. Corinthians’ Hugo Souza has taken over as the first-choice goalkeeper, with Coritiba’s Pedro Morisco and Cruzeiro’s Otavio named as his backups.
We’re happy to be here and to show our quality,” Ancelotti said. On whether the match would serve as a test for his squad, he said: “For the squad and all the players, it’s not a test or an opportunity to prove themselves. Ancelotti said Brazil had “full respect” for India, who recently played out a 1-1 draw against Panama. We have full respect for our opponents,” he said. It has been a great moment, bringing them together, creating synergy and feeling the energy in the squad,” he said.
