Carlo Ancelotti has announced Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sofascore News breaks down the background of each of the 26 selected players and reveals that Flamengo and Fluminense are the clubs that developed the most names in the Italian manager’s squad, with three players each.

Flamengo once again underlines the strength of the Ninho do Urubu academy as one of Brazil’s elite talent factories. Vinicius Junior, promoted to the senior side in 2017, became a global star and one of the biggest symbols of Flamengo’s academy success in recent years. Lucas Paquetá, who made his breakthrough in 2016, further reinforced the club’s reputation for producing technically gifted and creative midfielders. Wesley, promoted in 2023, represents the next generation developed at the Rio de Janeiro training center.

Fluminense, historically recognized for its famed Xerém academy, also stands out among Brazil’s top development clubs. Roger Ibañez, promoted in 2016, and Fabinho, who broke into the first team in 2012, embody recurring traits associated with the club’s development philosophy, such as tactical discipline and versatility. Luiz Henrique, promoted in 2020, reinforces Fluminense’s tradition of producing quick and decisive wide attackers.

Modest Avaí earns spotlight

Among the clubs with two players in the squad are Brazilian giants Palmeiras, Corinthians, São Paulo and Athletico-PR.

The biggest surprise on the list, however, is Avaí. Despite currently playing in Brazil’s Série B, the club gave the first professional opportunities to Gabriel Magalhães and Raphinha. The Arsenal defender made his debut for the club in 2016, the same year Raphinha began establishing himself in the senior squad.

READ MORE: Neymar in World Cup: Brazil’s 26-man squad analyzed

Below are the development clubs of Ancelotti’s 26-man Brazil squad:

Flamengo: Wesley, Lucas Paquetá e Vini Jr.
Fluminense: Ibañez, Fabinho e Luiz Henrique
Athletico-PR: Léo Pereira e Alex Sandro
São Paulo: Ederson e Casemiro
Palmeiras: Danilo Oliveira e Endrick
Corinthians: Weverton e Marquinhos
Avaí: Raphinha e Gabriel Magalhães
Cruzeiro: Igor Thiago
Santos: Neymar
América-MG: Danilo
Coritiba: Matheus Cunha
Vasco: Rayan
Internacional: Alisson
Ituano: Gabriel Martinelli
Atlético-MG: Bremer
Náutico: Douglas Santos
Audax: Bruno Guimarães

Current clubs of the selected players

Besides sharing the lead with Fluminense as the club that developed the most players in the squad, Flamengo is also the Brazilian club with the most current players called up by Ancelotti. Four Flamengo players made the list: Alex Sandro, Léo Pereira, Lucas Paquetá and Danilo.

Botafogo, through Danilo, Santos, through Neymar, and Grêmio, through Weverton, complete the list of seven Brazil-based players selected by Ancelotti. Compared to 2022, the number of domestic-based players in Brazil’s squad has more than doubled. At the Qatar World Cup, only three players selected by Tite were playing in Brazil: Weverton of Palmeiras, Everton Ribeiro of Flamengo and Pedro, also from Flamengo.

Elsewhere in the squad, 15 players are currently based in European football, two play in Saudi Arabia and two in Russia. The Premier League is the league with the highest number of selected players, with eight representatives.

At the 2022 World Cup, 22 selected players were representing European clubs and only one was playing in Mexico, a clear sign of Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global football market.