Neymar, Casemiro and Danilo not in Ancelotti’s future plans for Brazil

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Carlo Ancelotti says the likes of Casemiro, Neymar and Danilo will no longer be in Brazil’s plans as they start looking to the new generation.

Ancelotti’s first major tournament in charge of Brazil saw them reach the last 16 of this year’s World Cup before being knocked out by Norway following a 2-1 defeat.

It marked the earliest Brazil have been eliminated from a World Cup since 1990, when they were knocked out by Argentina in the round of 16. They had reached at least the quarter-final in each of their last eight World Cups prior to this edition.

Neymar has retired from international football since the end of the World Cup, where he made two substitute appearances and scored a consolation in the defeat to Norway.

Casemiro and Danilo have not commented on their Brazil futures, but both played in all five of the matches at the tournament.

But Ancelotti is now looking to the younger talent in his ranks as he looks to start building towards the 2028 Copa America.

“I think ⁠this World Cup marks the end of a generation of very important players,” Ancelotti told Brazilian broadcaster Ge.

“Starting ​with Neymar, going through Danilo, Casemiro, all those players who were over 30 years old at the World Cup.

“We are going to map out new players who can enter; I’m not saying for the next World Cup in 2030, but ​who can already be competitive in the first objective, which is the Copa America in 2028.

A agenda da Seleção Brasileira para a Data FIFA de setembro está definida.

Serão dois amistosos em Queensland:

25/09 — Townsville
Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Os confrontos fazem parte da… pic.twitter.com/RqkwlvFmGQ

— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) July 30, 2026

“I’m not going to say I’m going to replace all 26 players. We’re going to keep some important players who can continue the work, like Marquinhos, to name ​one.

“I think it’s important that you stay to give a sign of continuity to the work. But ​the idea is to change, to bring in a new generation.”

Ancelotti is set to stay as Brazil’s head coach through to that tournament, having been the subject of interest for Italy’s vacant role.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have since appointed Roberto Mancini, but Ancelotti says he was never intending to leave Brazil.

“There was simply contact from the federation, but it’s not a contract issue; it’s a matter of commitment,” Ancelotti said.

“I ⁠have a commitment to Brazil, not because I signed the contract. ​I have a commitment based on the year I spent here; I was very well received, and I ​don’t want to break that commitment.”

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