Neymar and Vinicius Jr. are both expected to play for Brazil in the 2026 World Cup qualifier that will take place on Thursday against Venezuela. Brazil’s head coach Fernando Diniz has said that he is striving to foster a feeling of teamwork and cohesiveness among the squad.
Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Real Madrid, would take over for Diniz as Brazil’s permanent manager the next year. Tite resigned from his position as Brazil’s head coach after the team’s elimination from the World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar.
Despite this, the national team coach, who is 49 years old and still works part-time for the club team Fluminense, is still striving to leave his imprint on the squad and maintain their position at the top of the South American qualifying campaign.
“(Neymar and Vinicius) are extremely good players, very intelligent, skilful and they like each other, there is also Rodrygo, a player of a very high level,” added the Brazilian.
“We hope they get on well in tomorrow’s game, as they have done in training, and that they can have a great game.”
After missing the first two qualifiers due to an injury, Vinicius, who often plays in the same position as Neymar, returns to the team. Neymar generally plays in the same position as Vinicius.
“My initial experience with Vinicius was amazing, and now he is widely considered to be one of the best players in football around the globe. Let’s hope he can go through the game without any discomfort,” he said.
In order to establish a “competitive team,” Diniz’s primary goal is to find equilibrium and develop unity among the members of the group.
“I feel a positive camaraderie from the players, who like each other very much, forming that feeling of family, the older ones know how to welcome very well those who arrive, both my committee and the players called up,” stated the head coach.
Brazil will play host to Venezuela in Cuiaba before travelling to Montevideo to take on Uruguay five days later. The first pitch is scheduled to go out at 6.30 a.m. on Friday, Bangladesh Time.