The Brazilian national football team announced on Saturday the jersey numbers that will be worn by the 26 players selected by coach Carlo Ancelotti for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Notable names include Vinícius who will don the number 7, Raphinha with number 11, and Neymar wearing the iconic number 10, thereby equaling a record previously held by the legendary Pelé.
Manchester United's striker Matheus Cunha will sport the number 9, a number famously associated with the great Ronaldo Nazário, while young talent Endrick from Real Madrid will wear number 19. Continuing the tradition, Marquinhos, the captain of the 'canarinha', will retain the number 4, and Casemiro, a trusted player for Ancelotti, will take the number 5.
Neymar, who is currently recovering from a grade II injury to his right calf, will reclaim the number 10, making history by wearing this legendary jersey in four World Cups: Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and now the 2026 tournament set to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The Santos forward has not played for the national team since October 2023 due to a serious knee injury sustained while representing his country.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) revealed the numbers through an animated video that begins with the phrase: "Every Brazilian is born an heir to the greatest reign in football," referencing the five World Cups that Brazil has won, a feat that remains unmatched to this day.
Currently, the Brazilian squad is in training and will participate in two friendly matches before embarking on their World Cup journey in June. The first match is scheduled for this Sunday against Panama at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, followed by a game against Egypt on June 6 at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, USA.
The five-time world champions will play all their group stage matches in the United States. They will kick off their campaign in Group C on June 13 against Morocco in New Jersey, followed by a match against Haiti in Philadelphia on June 19, and a clash with Scotland five days later in Miami.
As reported by noticiascaracol.com.
