São Paulo – A late injury to Flamengo left-back Alex Sandro has prompted Brazil’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti to make a last-minute alteration to his squad ahead of upcoming international friendlies against France and Croatia. Cruzeiro’s Kaiki Bruno has been called up as a replacement, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced on Sunday, March 23, 2026.
The injury occurred during a Serie A match between Flamengo and Corinthians, forcing Sandro off the pitch at halftime. Subsequent medical examinations revealed a problem with the posterior region of his right thigh, ruling him out of the matches against France on March 26th in Boston and Croatia on March 31st in Orlando, according to UOL Esporte. This development adds another injury concern for Ancelotti, who previously had to replace goalkeeper Alisson with Hugo Souza of Corinthians.
Kaiki Bruno Earns First Senior Call-Up
Kaiki, 23, has represented Brazil at the under-20 level, notably being part of the squad that won the 2023 South American U-20 Championship and reached the quarterfinals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup that same year. This call-up presents a significant opportunity for the Cruzeiro defender to potentially earn his first senior international cap before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has been a standout player for Cruzeiro, despite the team’s recent struggles, according to reports.
Ancelotti’s decision to call up Kaiki underscores the depth available in the Brazilian squad, even amidst unforeseen injuries. The coach is carefully evaluating options as he prepares for the World Cup, where Brazil is drawn into Group D alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland, with their campaign kicking off against Morocco on June 13th.
Updated Brazil Squad for March Friendlies
Here’s a look at the updated Brazil squad for the upcoming friendlies:
- Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza (Corinthians), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce)
- Defenders: Kaiki (Cruzeiro), Danilo (Flamengo), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Douglas Santos (Zenit St…
Flamengo continues to have a strong presence in the national team, with Léo Pereira already in Orlando with the delegation and Danilo similarly included as a right-back option. Fabrício Bruno’s potential call-up was also discussed, though the focus remained on replacing Sandro, as noted on Brazil Inside’s Facebook page.
The matches against France and Croatia serve as crucial preparation for the World Cup, allowing Ancelotti to assess his players and finalize his squad selection. The team will be looking to build momentum and fine-tune their tactics ahead of the tournament.
With Alex Sandro sidelined, all eyes will be on Kaiki Bruno to see if he can seize this opportunity and make a positive impression on the coaching staff. The upcoming friendlies will be a vital test for the young defender as he aims to secure a place in Brazil’s final World Cup roster.
What comes next for the Brazilian national team is a period of intense preparation and evaluation. Ancelotti will be closely monitoring the performances of his players in the friendlies, and further squad adjustments are possible before the final World Cup list is announced. Fans and analysts alike will be watching with keen interest to see how the team shapes up for their campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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