Neymar and Vinícius Júnior headlined Brazil’s latest squad announcement as Carlo Ancelotti named his 26-man selection for the crucial World Cup Group C meeting with Scotland on June 24 at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The match, which kicks off at 6pm ET (11pm BST) and will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 10pm BST, carries significant knockout-stage implications for both sides.
Key players and goalkeeping contingent
Ancelotti, who became Brazil’s first foreign manager in a century when he took charge on May 26, 2025, has retained the core of the side that secured qualification through the CONMEBOL league format between September 2023 and September 2025. The squad includes Neymar, Vinícius Júnior, and captain Marquinhos, alongside Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Manchester City’s Ederson. The third-choice goalkeeper is Weverton of Palmeiras, providing depth between the posts.
Brazil currently lead Group C with four points after drawing with Morocco and defeating Haiti. A win or a draw against Scotland would send Brazil into the round of 32, as part of the expanded 48-team tournament featuring 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing.
Defensive and midfield selections
Ancelotti has called up six defenders: Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Gleison Bremer (Juventus), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Roger Ibanez (Al-Ahli), and Wesley Franca (Flamengo). The full-back positions are covered by Danilo (Juventus), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), and Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg). In midfield, the veteran Casemiro is joined by Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Danilo (a second player of the same name, likely Danilo Pereira of Paris Saint-Germain), and Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United).
Forwards and the focus on youth
The attacking line is led by Neymar and Vinícius Júnior, with support from Raphinha (Barcelona), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Luiz Henrique (Botafogo), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Club Brugge), and two teenage prospects: 17-year-old Endrick and 18-year-old Rayan. Both youngsters have been included despite limited senior international experience, reflecting Ancelotti’s willingness to invest in the next generation during a tournament where Brazil are ranked sixth in the FIFA World Rankings (as of June 11, 2026).
Endrick, a forward who has been heavily scouted across Europe, has already made appearances for Brazil’s senior side in friendlies. Rayan, another precocious talent, has impressed in domestic football and is viewed as a long-term successor to Neymar’s creative and goal-scoring role. Their inclusion in a World Cup squad underlines a deliberate shift towards blending established stars with raw potential, particularly given Brazil’s five-time tournament-winning history – though their most recent triumph came in 2002.
Scotland’s World Cup context
Scotland, managed by Steve Clarke since May 2019, qualified for their ninth World Cup and first since 1998 after a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark on November 18, 2025, to top UEFA Group C ahead of Belarus, Denmark, and Greece. Clarke, who also led Scotland to UEFA Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, is the nation’s longest-serving manager by games overseen. The squad features captain Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Scott McTominay (Napoli), and John McGinn (Aston Villa).
Scotland sit third in Group C with three points, having beaten Haiti 1-0 and lost 1-0 to Morocco. A draw against Brazil would guarantee Scotland’s progression to the knockout stages for the first time in their history; a win would also see them advance. Brazil will advance with a win or a draw, provided Morocco fail to beat Haiti. Scotland’s best previous World Cup performance came in 1974, when they went undefeated in the group stage but were eliminated on goal difference. They have never beaten Brazil in a World Cup match, with one draw and three losses in four previous encounters. Overall, the two sides have met 10 times, Brazil winning eight and drawing two.
Scotland enter the match ranked 42nd in the FIFA World Rankings, while Brazil are sixth. Scotland’s highest-ever ranking was 13th in October 2007; their lowest was 88th in March 2005. Brazil have spent the longest time ranked first in FIFA’s history.
