New Delhi, 2 December (H.S.):

Brazil’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti has issued a clear mandate that Vinícius Jr must be in peak physical condition to be considered for the nation’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.

Addressing the fitness concerns in an interview with Brazilian sports program Esports Record, Ancelotti reiterated his strict policy of selecting only players who are 100 percent match-fit.Ancelotti emphasized that this standard applies equally to all players, including star forward Neymar, who was similarly warned to regain full fitness before rejoining the team.

“The team boasts many high-quality players, and I must choose those who are completely fit. This is not just about Neymar; it also applies to Vinícius. If Vinícius is only 90 percent fit, I will pick another player who meets the full fitness criteria,” said the Italian coach.

Vinícius Jr recently secured Brazil’s qualification for the World Cup by scoring the decisive goal in their 1-0 win over Paraguay in June. The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place across North America from June 11 to July 19.

Looking ahead, Brazil is slated to play a warm-up match against France in Boston during the international window from March 23 to 31, 2026, offering further opportunity for players to prove their readiness ahead of football’s grandest stage.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar