Brazil's Ancelotti Confirms Marquinhos and Vini Jr. Available for Croatia Friendly

Coach's lineup for Tuesday's match hints at World Cup squad decisions ahead.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:50pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a Brazil national team soccer match or training session, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the team's signature yellow, green, and blue colors.Brazil's star-studded lineup takes shape ahead of their final World Cup tune-up match against Croatia.Today in Orlando

Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that center-back Marquinhos and forward Vini Jr. have recovered from injuries and will be available for the upcoming friendly match against Croatia on Tuesday in Orlando, Florida. Ancelotti is expected to field a lineup featuring the duo, along with other key players, as the team prepares for the final World Cup squad announcement scheduled for May 18.

Why it matters

This friendly against Croatia represents Brazil's last test before finalizing their World Cup roster. The lineup Ancelotti chooses will provide clues about which players he views as integral to the team's plans for the tournament.

The details

Ancelotti's expected lineup for the Croatia match includes Ederson in goal, a backline of Ibañez, Marquinhos, Léo Pereira and Douglas Santos, a midfield duo of Casemiro and Danilo, and an attack featuring Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, João Pedro and Vini Jr. This lineup suggests Ancelotti is leaning towards including Marquinhos and Vini Jr. in Brazil's final World Cup squad.

  • The Brazil vs. Croatia friendly will take place on Tuesday, March 31 at 9 p.m. in Orlando, Florida.
  • Brazil's final World Cup squad is scheduled to be announced on May 18.
  • After the Croatia match, Brazil will play two more friendlies against Panama and Egypt.

The players

Carlo Ancelotti

The head coach of the Brazil national team, tasked with leading the team to the 2026 World Cup.

Marquinhos

A center-back for the Brazil national team who has recovered from injury and will be available for the Croatia friendly.

Vini Jr.

A forward for the Brazil national team who has also recovered from injury and will be available for the Croatia friendly.

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What’s next

After the Croatia friendly, Brazil will play two more warmup matches against Panama and Egypt before finalizing their 26-player World Cup roster on May 18.

The takeaway

Ancelotti's lineup choices for the Croatia friendly suggest he is leaning towards including key players like Marquinhos and Vini Jr. in Brazil's final World Cup squad, as the team continues to prepare for the tournament in Qatar.