BREAKING: Éderson expected to start as right-back for Brazil vs Morocco in FIFA World Cup 2026

Ederson arrived as a late injury replacement for the World Cup.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has finally arrived after a four-year hiatus, with the excitement for football’s most prestigious tournament at an all-time high. From favourites to debutants, all participating nations are set to compete for the coveted title.

The newest edition is set to be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada, with the competition returning to North America after the 1994 campaign in the USA. The 2026 World Cup will also feature a record 48 teams, instead of the traditional 32.

The Brazil national football team, one of the biggest footballing powerhouses, will be aiming to win their sixth title. The team is currently based in New Jersey, concluded their pre-World Cup friendlies, with the team in its final preparations for the tournament.

Ancelotti experimented with Ederson in a new role

Reports from their recent training have revealed Carlo Ancelotti experimenting with Éderson as a right-back before the World Cup. It was considered at the position to directly address a tactical emergency caused by the tournament-ending injury to AS Roma full-back Wesley.

AS Roma right-back, Wesley França, was forced to withdraw from the final 26-man squad due to a severe muscle injury to the adductor muscle in his left thigh during Brazil’s pre-tournament preparatory friendly against Egypt on June 6. A detailed MRI scan officially confirmed that the recovery timeline would entirely rule him out of the tournament, forcing manager Carlo Ancelotti to change his plans.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) officially announced the addition of Éderson on June 7. The 26-year-old midfielder joined the national team squad at the training camp in the United States on June 8. While there was initial confusion on replacing a natural right-back with a central midfielder, the decision allowed Ancelotti to fix a major structural imbalance in the original roster. Before the switch, Brazil’s squad starved for more central options, featuring nine defenders but only five midfielders.

Éderson’s selection is mainly propelled by the unique profile he provides for the nation. He is widely known as a player with a relentless work rate and running, with Ancelotti believing his work rate is capable of meeting the demands of a full-back in his defensive system.

He was also considered by Ancelotti for his impressive positional versatility. The manager assessed the player personally in camp and has determined that Éderson’s positional awareness allows him to comfortably play across multiple roles depending on different in-game situations.

Brazil’s FIFA World Cup 2026 group

Brazil will be playing in Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, considered a competitive pathway for the record tournament champions. They will compete alongside Morocco, Scotland and Haiti. Brazil will play their opening fixture against Morocco on June 14 at MetLife Stadium in New York, USA.

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