Ancelotti Drops 15 as Brazil Rebuild Begins Post-Neymar

Carlo Ancelotti has named his first Brazil squad since the World Cup exit against Norway, dropping 15 of the 26 players who travelled to North America and calling up eight uncapped players.

Neymar, who confirmed his international retirement after the 2-1 defeat by Norway, is out. Casemiro, 34 and now at Inter Miami, has also been left out, along with Danilo and Weverton. Raphinha keeps his place and, by all accounts, is being lined up as the squad's senior figure alongside Vinícius Júnior, Bruno Guimarães and Marquinhos.

Among the debutants are Pedro Morisco, Otávio, Arthur Dias and Breno Bidon. João Pedro, left out of the World Cup squad, returns. Estêvão, Endrick, Rayan and Andrey Santos are also included as Ancelotti builds toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2030 World Cup.

Brazil play two friendlies against Australia, on 25 September in Townsville and 29 September in Brisbane, before a first-ever meeting with India on 3 October in Kolkata.

Full squad — goalkeepers: Hugo Souza (Corinthians), Pedro Morisco (Coritiba), Otávio (Cruzeiro). Defenders: Arthur Dias (Athletico Paranaense), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Jair (Nottingham Forest), Marquinhos (PSG), Matheuzinho (Corinthians), Mauro Júnior (PSV Eindhoven), Vitor Reis (Manchester City), Wesley (Roma). Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Manchester City), Breno Bidon (Corinthians), Bruno Guimarães (Arsenal), Danilo (Botafogo), Douglas Luiz (Juventus), Gabriel Bontempo (Santos). Forwards: Endrick (Real Madrid), Estêvão (Chelsea), João Pedro (Chelsea), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Samuel Lino (Flamengo), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid).

If the young forwards Ancelotti has recalled hold their places through this cycle, this window may mark the point where Brazil's side for 2030 starts to take shape rather than simply react to the last World Cup.