Ancelotti Selects Weverton for 2026 World Cup Based on Experience Carlo Ancelotti, the head coach of the Brazilian national team, confirmed on Monday that he included veteran goalkeeper Weverton in the 26-player squad for the 2026 World Cup. The decision was based on Weverton's experience, despite the player not being part of previous selections. Weverton, 38, was previously Alisson Becker's backup in the 2022 World Cup and is now part of the final squad for the tournament hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Weverton, who plays for Gremio, was a surprise inclusion in the list of 26 convocados. The player did not appear in any of Ancelotti's prior call-up lists, as the coach had been testing younger goalkeepers in previous selections. The main uncertainty was whether Ancelotti would choose Bento (Al-Nassr-SAU) or Hugo Souza (Corinthians), both of whom had been part of previous squads. Ancelotti explained that the decision to select Weverton was driven by the need for experience in the goalkeeper position, stating that the team did not require further trials with younger players. The coach emphasized that experience was a key factor in the selection of Weverton, similar to the reasoning behind including Neymar, the all-time leading scorer for Brazil, despite the player's absence from the national team since October 2023. Ancelotti acknowledged his regret over not being able to call up Bento or Souza but noted that both players are still young enough to participate in future World Cups. Ancelotti used the press conference to clarify that his decision to include Weverton and Neymar was based on their experience and leadership qualities, which he believes are essential for the demands of a World Cup.#carlo_ancelotti #2026_world_cup #brazil_national_team #weverton #gremio
