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Brazil are not messing around. For their 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage match against Scotland on June 24 in Miami, Carlo Ancelotti has named Matheus Cunha and Casemiro in the starting eleven, signaling that the five-time world champions intend to treat this fixture with the same seriousness they would a knockout game.
Cunha’s inclusion up front is the headline decision. The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward scored twice in Brazil’s previous group stage outing against Haiti, and Ancelotti is clearly backing him to carry that momentum forward against a Scotland side that will be far more organized defensively.
The lineup and what it tells us
Brazil are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Cunha leading the attack and Casemiro anchoring the center of midfield alongside a partner. It is a shape Ancelotti knows intimately from his club work, and it suits the personnel he has available.
Casemiro’s presence in the double pivot is significant. The Manchester United midfielder’s reading of the game and his ability to interrupt opposition build-up play before it becomes dangerous is the role Brazil need him to fill as they look to control what could be a physical and direct Scottish approach.
Injury concerns are the elephant in the room
Brazil’s squad situation heading into this game is not ideal. Raphinha has been ruled out through injury, which removes one of the team’s most dangerous creative outlets from the equation entirely.
Then there is Neymar. His participation against Scotland remains uncertain, and that uncertainty alone is enough to shift the tone of any Brazil team news conversation. Without him, or with a Neymar operating at something less than full capacity, Ancelotti needs Cunha to be the focal point and the finisher simultaneously.
The injury situation raises a broader question about squad depth. Ancelotti has Premier League talent woven through this Brazil side, which reflects both the volume of Brazilian players competing at the top of English football and a deliberate strategic choice to build around players who handle high-pressure environments week in, week out.
What this means for Brazil’s tournament picture
A win against Scotland would put Brazil in a strong position heading into the final group stage game, with a clear path to the knockout rounds. Ancelotti’s team selection reflects that context: he is not experimenting, but selecting the players he trusts to deliver three points on a night when three points matter.
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