Even without a place in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup being assured, the Brazilian team faces a tactical impasse under the command of Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian coach needs to consider the risks of using athletes with two yellow cards against Scotland, a match scheduled for Wednesday (24), in Miami.
Two pillars of the squad, Casemiro and Douglas Santos, are among the possible absences due to suspension. Ibañez, who started the tournament as a starter and is now a substitute, is also on the caution list. Receiving another card against the Scots would mean automatic absence from the first match of the knockout stage, as two yellow cards in the World Cup lead to the athlete being suspended from the following match.
This critical situation forces Ancelotti to take a long-term strategic view. The absence of crucial players in a knockout match could seriously jeopardize the team’s campaign. Brazil’s expected opponent will come from Group F, where the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden are in a fierce dispute for their places, while Tunisia no longer has any chance of advancing.
Casemiro, in particular, requires careful analysis. Considered a fundamental piece and the main defensive bulwark in midfield, the midfielder is one of the pillars of the tactics developed by Ancelotti. His experience in big games, tackling ability and influence on the field make his possible absence a significant challenge for the remainder of the tournament. Ancelotti, known for his strategic squad management and success in knockout tournaments such as the Champions League, understands the cost of losing a player with Casemiro’s characteristics, whose tactical discipline is irreplaceable for the team’s defensive balance at crucial moments.
Given this, a solution considered behind the scenes is to spare the number 5 in the clash against Scotland. Fabinho presents himself as the most logical replacement in this circumstance. The midfielder has already demonstrated his ability to perform the role during the 1-1 draw with Morocco. At the time, Ancelotti decided to remove Casemiro in the second half precisely to prevent a card that would take him out of the next stages, and Fabinho’s entry was decisive for Brazil to improve on the field.
On the left wing, the logic is identical. Douglas Santos is also under threat of suspension, and Alex Sandro emerges as the favorite to fill the vacancy if the coach adopts a more cautious stance. The Flamengo defender has even stood out for his physical fitness in recent training. Recently, the CBF published records of the player dedicating himself to conditioning exercises alongside Neymar.
So far, Ancelotti remains confidential about his final decision. However, the intelligent management of the group is a striking feature of the Italian coach’s methodology. In a tournament like the World Cup, where the smallest details define the result, the choice between using the full first team or protecting cautioned athletes can be crucial to success.
The central question remains: is it worth risking Casemiro and Douglas Santos to guarantee a place in the next phase without any problems, or would it be more prudent to focus on the knockout stages, preventing future complications? Ancelotti will have the responsibility of presenting this solution in the days leading up to the clash.