Ancelotti needs a convincing response: preview for Brazil vs Haiti - 20.06.2026
The national teams of Brazil and Haiti will face off on June 20, 2026, in the second round of the 2026 World Cup group stage. Following a draw against Morocco, Brazil finds itself under a barrage of criticism, and this clash with the group’s underdog is a golden opportunity for Carlo Ancelotti’s squad to regain confidence and improve their standing in the table.
Brazil: the favorite started sluggishly and now must step up
Brazil’s tournament opener was far from what fans expected. Facing Morocco as clear favorites, the Seleção stumbled out of the gate, conceding to Ismael Saibari early on, then quickly equalizing but failing to add intensity or creative spark for the remainder of the match.
Criticism has been swift: Brazil looked disjointed, slow, and lacked their trademark attacking edge. Carlo Ancelotti is confident his side will improve in the next round, but the coach will need to address lineup issues. Roger Ibañez struggled on the right flank and was subbed off at halftime, so Danilo is expected to start there, while Matheus Cunha could replace Igor Thiago as the focal point up front.
Haiti: a valiant effort, but no points
Haiti opened their World Cup campaign with a narrow defeat to Scotland, but Sébastien Migné’s side certainly didn’t look outclassed. The Grenadiers fired 15 shots, recorded 1.05 xG, and fought valiantly until the final whistle, but a deflected goal proved decisive.
Haiti face no major personnel issues after the first round, so sweeping changes are unlikely. One adjustment is possible: Josué Casimir, who injected energy off the bench against Scotland, could start on the flank in place of Louicius Don Deedson. However, facing Brazil is a whole different challenge - historically, these fixtures have been extremely tough for Haiti.
Probable lineups
- Brazil: Becker, Santos, Gabriel, Marquinhos, Danilo, Guimarães, Casemiro, Júnior, Raphinha, Henrique, Cunha.
- Haiti: Placide, Arcus, Ade, Delcroix, Expérience, Casimir, Jean Jacques, Ricner Bellegarde, Providence, Pierrot, Isidor.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Brazil have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six matches.
- Haiti registered 15 shots against Scotland but lost 0-1.
- The last three meetings between Brazil and Haiti all ended in emphatic wins for Brazil: 7-1, 6-0, and 4-0.
Quality should prevail: prediction for Brazil vs Haiti
Brazil received an unpleasant but necessary wake-up call in the opening round. The match against Morocco exposed issues with tempo, starting lineup choices, and defensive adjustments, but the opposition was much tougher than their reputation suggested. Now, Ancelotti’s side have a much more favorable matchup to rediscover their attacking sharpness and dictate the game.
Haiti earned respect for their grit and bravery against Scotland, but against Brazil, desire alone may not be enough. The Grenadiers haven’t faced opposition of this caliber in a long time, and their head-to-head history with the Seleção is painful reading. If Brazil apply the pressure early and avoid first-round mistakes, the gulf in quality should translate into a convincing victory.
