Paquetá Makes Strong Case for Brazil World Cup Squad Spot Ahead of Ancelotti’s Announcement

Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to announce his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup this Monday, May 18. While many positions in the Seleção's core appear settled, the competition for the final attacking berths remains fierce. Flamengo midfielder Lucas Paquetá has recently put forward a compelling argument for his inclusion, showcasing exceptional form and versatility despite a recent injury setback.

Paquetá's situation was uncertain earlier in the year after a difficult spell and an omission from the last national team call-up. However, his performances for Flamengo, particularly in a deeper midfield role, have seemingly reignited his chances. Ancelotti is expected to allocate nine spots for forwards, with several established names and emerging talents vying for limited places.

Key facts

| Brazil World Cup Squad Announcement | Monday, May 18 |
| Coach | Carlo Ancelotti |
| Squad Size | 26 players |
| Paquetá's Club | Flamengo |

The Attacking Landscape

The forward positions for Brazil are highly competitive. Gabriel Martinelli and Vinicius Junior are considered certainties on the left flank, while Matheus Cunha, João Pedro, and Igor Thiago (or Igor Jesus) are contenders for central attacking roles. Raphinha and Luiz Henrique are lined up for the right-wing positions. This leaves two open spots, with Rodrygo and Estevão confirmed out due to knee and thigh injuries, respectively.

Endrick has made a strong case for the eighth attacking spot following his decisive contribution against Croatia, where he won a penalty and assisted a goal that shifted the momentum of the game. His consistent form for Lyon since January, playing as a right winger or mobile centre-forward, further strengthens his claim. This leaves one final attacking position up for grabs, which is where Paquetá's recent form becomes particularly relevant.

Paquetá's Resurgence at Flamengo

Despite suffering a thigh oedema that sidelined him for seven matches between April 18 and May 14, Lucas Paquetá was performing at an exceptional level for Flamengo prior to his injury. Flamengo boss Leonardo Jardim utilized the number 20 as a second defensive midfielder from early April, a role he excelled in, particularly in crucial matches against Fluminense, Independiente Medellín, and Bahia.

In this deeper position, Paquetá demonstrated his ability to dictate play from the centre circle. He effectively positioned himself in front of the build-up unit, allowing him space to play ambitious balls over the top, relieve pressure with first-time touches, and find passes behind opposition defenses. His versatility also saw him making late runs into the area to score, notably against Medellín and Bahia. Furthermore, his off-the-ball work, characterized by high pressing and consistent possession recovery in the opposition half, has not gone unnoticed.

Versatility and Ancelotti's Admiration

Since his return from West Ham at the start of the year, Paquetá has enjoyed the best form of his Flamengo career as a number eight. His ability to perform across various midfield and attacking roles – including left midfielder, right midfielder, and number ten – makes him a valuable asset for the national team. He can cover for key players like Bruno Guimarães or Matheus Cunha, and even slot in for wide forwards if needed.

Carlo Ancelotti has previously expressed his high regard for the 28-year-old. In September last year, after a World Cup qualifying victory against Chile, Ancelotti stated, "For the quality he has, Paquetá has to be here with us. He can play in different ways. Today he played as an attacking midfielder; he can also play as a second defensive midfielder without any problem. He has great quality on the ball." This endorsement from the national team coach underscores Paquetá's potential importance to the squad.

Rivals for the Final Spot

Should Ancelotti consider the final attacking slot to be Paquetá's to lose, his primary rivals include Andrey Santos, Neymar, and Rayan. Andrey Santos, 22, has been a squad player at Chelsea and his recent international window performances were underwhelming, casting doubt on his previous certainty for a spot. Rayan, 19, has impressed at Bournemouth and received his first senior call-up, but Ancelotti has indicated he is a player for the future, likely with the 2030 World Cup cycle in mind.

Neymar's situation is more complex. While still capable of flashes of brilliance, his recent form has been hampered by injuries and a lack of consistent competitive football. He has been rested on multiple occasions and opted out of a recent derby, citing the synthetic surface as his reason. Despite reports suggesting a potential last-minute call-up, his intensity and technical contributions have fallen short of expectations. Paquetá's consistent form and versatility therefore present a strong case against these contenders.

Ancelotti is reportedly in the final stages of agreeing to a four-year contract extension, which would see him lead the Seleção through the next World Cup cycle. For now, the focus remains on the 2026 tournament, with Monday's squad announcement being the crucial first step. Following the announcement, Brazil will play friendlies against Panama and Egypt before their opening group stage match against Morocco on June 13.

Fuente: Sports Mole Football RSS (https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/brazil/world-cup/news/not-rayan-not-neymar-why-paqueta-deserves-one-of-brazils-last-world-cup-spots_597755.html)

Key facts