Brazil

The CBF finally managed to secure the services of Carlo Ancelotti after a two and a half year wait, but in doing so have squandered valuable prep time and suffered a deluge of underwhelming results under three different managers, highlighted by an embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Argentina in qualification. While results have improved somewhat since then, Ancelotti's process still leaves questions, particularly with the injury of preferred right-back Wesley.

The Roma defender had been used in an advanced position on the right, allowing Brazil to build up in a quasi 3-2-4-1 shape and enabling more fluid rotation amongst the attacking players. With the fullback pool decimated by injury, the starter at right-back will be either Danilo Luiz or Roger Ibañez, who is a natural centre-half and limited going forward to say the least; Alex Sandro or Douglas Santos will start on the left. Further ahead, the selection will vary based on Ancelotti's preference in any given match. Lucas Paquetá and Igor Thiago are well suited to a high-pressing, transition-based game, while Matheus Cunha and Luiz Henrique will feature in situations where Brazil expect to have the ball more often, allowing Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha more space in attack (and reducing their defensive workload). Neymar is here too, but will miss at least two games, so let's not open that can of worms right now.