Ancelotti: Wesley’s injury is unfortunate…and we have ready solutions to replace him at the World Cup

The Italian confirmed Carlo AncelottiThe Brazil coach has expressed his full confidence in the Seleção squad and their ability to compensate for the possible absence of key right-back Wesley.

Wesley suffered a severe left thigh muscle injury during a friendly match with Egypt before the 2026 World Cup.

Wesley played just 15 minutes in Brazil’s 2-1 win over Egypt on Saturday evening, June 6, when he burst into tears in the staircase area, so the player’s health became the focus of the Italian coach’s press conference.

Ancelotti avoided misdiagnosing Brazil goalscorers Bruno Guimaraes and Endrik in his post-match speech before having the player undergo a medical to determine the exact extent of the injury, while stressing that there are substitutes in the national team’s squad to make up for the absence of the No.2 shirt.

“Wesley’s injury is very painful. We now have players who can replace him. After that, Marquinhos and Gabriel Magales are beyond doubt because they are the two players who continued to play until the last moments and played in the Champions League final.”

Ancelotti responded with complete flexibility and calmness to the journalists’ question about what alternative plans the technical staff has in case the decision is made to remove the injured full-back from the list forever.

“We have to wait until tomorrow to see the final medical diagnosis. I think he will have enough time to recover and be with us in this World Cup. If that doesn’t happen, we have to choose another player and we have plenty of time to do that.”

The Brazil coach has renewed his high confidence in Danilo and Ibanez to compensate for Wesley’s possible absence in the next match, amid continued talk of the cards available to him.

Danilo has been playing as a central defender in recent times, although he has spent his entire professional career as a full-back and came on as a substitute for Wesley, while Ibanez, who is initially a central defender, can also play at right-back.

“Danilo can play in all positions. Now, because of Wesley’s injury, we need him at right-back, where Ibanez, who previously played in that position against Panama, can also play. At the moment, these are the available solutions to replace Wesley, but we will wait until tomorrow to make the necessary decisions.”