Endrick Set To Play A Pivotal Role For Brazil In This World Cup, Says Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti is urging patience over Endrick while stressing that Brazil still expect a strong World Cup, as the team prepare for a first-ever tournament meeting with Haiti. Endrick stayed on the bench during the 1-1 draw with Morocco, yet Ancelotti maintains the teenager will play a central role.

Brazil’s opening fixture saw Igor Thiago start in attack before Matheus Cunha came on, with Endrick unused. The draw against Morocco followed Brazil’s final warm-up game, when Endrick scored the winner against Egypt. The 19-year-old has four goals in 17 appearances for the Selecao despite failing to score in six qualifying outings.

Speaking before the second group match against Haiti, Ancelotti tried to lower the debate around Endrick’s minutes. "I'll

put Endrick in at the right time. We have to wait a little. He's going to be important in this World Cup, said Ancelotti. " The head coach stressed timing and development over immediate selection.

Ancelotti also compared the profiles of Brazil’s forwards to explain Endrick’s position in the squad. Matheus Cunha operates between the lines and links play, while Igor Thiago works as a penalty-box presence. Ancelotti described Igor Thiago as powerful in duels and strong at pressing defenders high up the pitch.

The coach made clear that Endrick brings a different skill set to both. "Endrick is neither one nor the other. Endrick is something else. For me, personally, Endrick is an extraordinary talent. Brazil will take advantage of his qualities in this World Cup and also in the next one. He is patient, not in a hurry, and very mature for his age. That's a very important aspect. His family, who are close to him, is also very patient. That's important for a young person. "

Recepo calorosa da nossa torcida na Filadlfia pic.twitter.com/PRggCqWbLRbrasil (@CBF_Futebol) June 18, 2026

Brazil and Haiti have met three times before, all in non-World Cup fixtures, and Brazil won every match. Across those games, the Selecao scored 17 goals and allowed only one. Their World Cup clash now adds tournament pressure to a fixture that has previously been one‑sided.

Brazil vs Haiti World Cup rankings and key absences

This Brazil vs Haiti World Cup meeting features the biggest ranking gap of the group stage. Brazil sit 6th in the FIFA World Ranking, while Haiti are 84th, leaving a 78-place difference. Analysts expect Brazil to control possession, but recent group-stage upsets will remain in focus.

Brazil will again play without Neymar, who continues treatment for a calf injury and will not join the squad in Philadelphia. That absence increases attention on Endrick and the other forwards. Brazil’s coaching staff, however, repeatedly underline that Endrick’s long-term development is as important as immediate impact.