Ancelotti Defends Decision to Bench Endrick After Brazil Held by Morocco

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has responded to questions over his decision to leave young forward Endrick on the bench during Brazil’s 1–1 draw against Morocco in their opening 2026 World Cup match.

The match saw Brazil struggle in the first half before recovering after the break, with Vinícius Júnior scoring the equaliser to secure a point in a tense Group C encounter.

Following the game, Ancelotti faced repeated questions about Endrick’s absence from the starting lineup and lack of playing time, but the Italian manager refused to single out individual players.

Instead, he stressed that his selection choices were based on tactical balance and readiness, insisting that his focus remained on the overall team performance rather than personal decisions.

“I don’t speak about individual players, I speak about the team,” Ancelotti said in his post-match comments, emphasizing that Brazil’s issues were collective rather than down to one player.

Reports indicate that Brazil’s attack lacked sharpness in the first half, prompting tactical adjustments after the break as Ancelotti introduced changes to stabilize the team and improve control in midfield and attack.

Despite criticism from some fans over Endrick’s omission, the coach maintained that squad rotation and game management are necessary in a long tournament, especially at the group stage.

Brazil now turn their attention to their next World Cup fixture, where pressure will mount to secure a stronger performance and build momentum in the competition.