Why Raphinha Will Miss Ancelotti’s Brazil Debut
Carlo Ancelotti is preparing for his debut as Brazil head coach in the World Cup qualifiers without Raphinha, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
The team will hold a final training session on Wednesday in Guayaquil. Brazil currently sits fourth in the South American qualifiers with 21 points, 10 behind leaders Argentina, who are already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. The top six teams will qualify directly, while the seventh-place team will go to a playoff. At the moment, Venezuela holds that seventh spot with 15 points.
Looking to put an end to the crisis that has surrounded the team since 2022, Ancelotti aims to start his tenure with a strong result—even without one of his top wide threats.
