Who deserves a shot with Brazil against Paraguay? Have your say 🗣 | OneFootball

The Brazilian national team returns to the field next Tuesday (10), when they face Paraguay, at Neo Química Arena, at 21:30 (from Brasília), for the 16th and third-to-last round of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

In fourth place with 22 points, Canarinho secures a spot in the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year if they beat Paraguay and Uruguay defeats Venezuela.

To achieve this, coach Carlo Ancelotti will need some "gears" to change in the national team compared to the game last Thursday (5), when they drew 0-0 with Ecuador, in Guayaquil.

Thus, OneFootball brings some options that can help Ancelotti achieve his first victory in command of Brazil.

And you also have a voice! Leave your comment indicating what changes Don Carleto should make to the starting lineup of the Brazilian national team.

Goalkeeper

Ancelotti called up Alisson (Liverpool), Hugo Souza (Corinthians), and Bento (Al Nassr) for the June FIFA date.

Alisson was chosen to be the starter against Ecuador and, due to his experience in Europe, in major international confrontations, including the Champions League and the World Cup, tends to continue defending the national team's goal.

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But it wouldn't be absurd for Hugo Souza to enter. In addition to playing "at home," the Corinthians goalkeeper has quickly become one of the great names in the position in Brazilian football, including falling into the Fiel's favor in the "penalties" category.

Full-backs

Ancelotti called up Vanderson (Monaco), Wesley (Flamengo), Carlos Augusto (Inter de Milão), and Alex Sandro (Flamengo) for the position, with Danilo (Flamengo) being a kind of "wildcard," able to play as a defender and full-back.

Vanderson, on the right, and Alex Sandro, on the left, were the starters against Ecuador.

However, while the Flamengo player "didn't compromise" in Guayaquil, the Monaco player was heavily criticized, especially for his difficulty in reaching the attack.

📸 MARCOS PIN - AFP or licensors

In this scenario, in a context where victory is very important for the classification to be conquered in advance, Wesley would be a good name for the right-back position.

The Flamengo player, who has been speculated to join European clubs in this transfer window, has speed and offensive strength as his main characteristics and could enter in place of Vanderson.

Defenders

Marquinhos (PSG), Beraldo (PSG), Léo Ortiz (Flamengo), and Alexsandro (Lille) were called up by Ancelotti for the position, in addition to the "wildcard" Danilo.

Marquinhos and Alexsandro were the starters against Ecuador and were the positive point of the national team in the last round.

📸 MARCOS PIN - AFP or licensors

The two should continue to start against Paraguay, even though Léo Ortiz has been standing out in Flamengo, not only for his defensive safety but also for his ability to help in the creative sector.

In fact, Léo Ortiz is called by Zico as the "number 10 of the defense."

Midfielders

Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Ederson (Atalanta), and Gerson (Flamengo) were called up by Ancelotti for the position.

For the duel against Ecuador, the Italian coach opted to give more security to the defensive sector and, therefore, lined up three defensive midfielders as starters: Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, and Gerson.

Although the trio did what was expected, i.e., gave more security, the offensive part was below ideal.

Thus, Ancelotti will have to make a decision: maintain the protection to the defense with three defensive midfielders or put a creative midfielder? Or even: how would Raphinha's probable entry affect the sector?

Well, if the option for a creative midfielder is chosen, only Andreas Pereira has this characteristic.

📸 RODRIGO BUENDIA - AFP or licensors

And then, the Fulham player could enter in place of Bruno Guimarães, since Casemiro is Don Carleto's "man of confidence," and Gerson also has some characteristics of arrival, since he emerged in Fluminense while playing more in creation.

In the case of Raphinha's entry, the "sacrificed" one could be Gerson, since Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães would be the "guard dogs" as defensive midfielders and maintaining the protection to the defense.

Forwards

Antony (Betis), Estêvão (Palmeiras), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham), and Vini Jr (Real Madrid) were called up by Ancelotti for the position.

Estêvão, Richarlison, and Vini Jr were the starters against Ecuador.

Without a doubt, the Tottenham center-forward was the most criticized for his performance in Guayaquil.

📸 Franklin Jacome - 2025 Getty Images

Thus, the logic would be that Matheus Cunha would enter in place of Richarlison. The new Manchester United striker, in fact, has characteristics more suited to playing with the traditional strong marking of the Paraguayans.

Raphinha, one of the great highlights of the 2024/25 season and, in fact, a candidate for the best in the world, should return to the starting lineup.

Thus, if Ancelotti wants to do the "basics," he should put the Barcelona star in place of Estêvão.

📸 MARCOS PIN - AFP or licensors

However, as mentioned earlier, Raphinha can enter in place of someone from the midfield, leaving the Brazilian national team in a super offensive 4-2-4 or even 4-2-1-3.

Antony, who had a great second half of the season, when he played for Real Betis, and Gabriel Martinelli, again in a good year for Arsenal, would run on the outside.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 RODRIGO BUENDIA - AFP or licensors