Carlo Ancelotti has reassured clubs that their players will return from international duty in good health as Brazil prepare to face Japan in a friendly in Kalang, Singapore, on 14 November 2026.
The Brazil manager said player welfare was the priority and that involvement in the match would be carefully managed.
“The priority is always to protect the player’s health,” Ancelotti told reporters. “If he is able to play and is 100% physically fit, he will take part. We will control the minutes of all the players and assess each one. We have the information needed to manage their playing time.”
He added: “All clubs can be reassured about their players being with the national team. We have a top-level staff and the priority is the players’ health. They will return to their clubs in good condition.”
Ancelotti also praised Raphinha, who has been in strong form for both Brazil and Barcelona.
“Raphinha is performing very well here and with his club Barcelona,” he said. “He is showing exceptional quality with the Catalan side and can play for us as a striker.”
The Italian described Japan as a serious opponent, pointing to the progress they have made in recent years.
“Japan are a highly competitive team. They have shown their quality in competitions and how they have developed in recent years. They proved that at the World Cup as well,” he said. “They have excellent players and this will be a very tough match.”
Ancelotti keeps starting line-up private
Brazil have conducted tests in recent days to determine which players are ready to feature, but Ancelotti said he would not reveal his starting line-up.
“We have carried out tests over the past few days to see which players are able to play. They have left very good impressions on me,” he said. “I have the names of the players I am considering for the match, but I will not reveal them.”
The manager also spoke positively about Lucas Perri, who he said was growing in confidence in goal and doing “excellent work” with Torino. He described the goalkeeper as “another player within the group”.
Ancelotti believes Brazil need wide players who can also operate centrally. He said the approach had worked well when he used Angel Di Maria in that way at Real Madrid and suggested Joao Gomes could fulfil a similar role.
Asked about changes since the World Cup, Ancelotti said his assessment of the players had been “very positive”. Some players who were unable to join the squad were still absent, but he was pleased with the way the group was progressing.
“The players want to play for the national team,” he said. “I do not need to say anything to them before they go on to the pitch and put in a competitive performance.”
He added that Brazil were “the biggest national team in the world” and would have supporters behind them in every match, unlike in some other countries.
Ancelotti said the squad’s training attitude had been excellent and that Brazil possessed the talent needed for the future, although experience could not be bought. He acknowledged that some players were not playing regularly for their clubs and said the national team had to support them.
“Criticism is normal,” he said. “We are going through a transition with new players and are working to build a strong group for the future.”
