Brazil National Team Off to the U.S. for World Cup, Celebrated by Fans and Police

On Monday, October 1, the Brazilian national soccer team set off for the United States to participate in the 2026 World Cup. The team, consisting of 23 selected players and led by coach Carlo Ancelotti, departed from their hotel in Barra da Tijuca, a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, and made their way to Tom Jobim International Airport (Galeão) in the evening.

Among the players, Marquinhos from PSG, Gabriel Magalhães, and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, who recently played in the Champions League final, will rejoin the squad in the U.S. Neymar was the star of the evening, receiving enthusiastic support from both fans and police officers, one of whom even had Neymar sign a Flamengo jersey.

Before heading to the airport, the team made a brief stop at the CBF headquarters, where they toured the museum that showcases the national team’s long and storied history. The players took a moment to admire the coveted World Cup trophy.

Upon their arrival at Galeão Airport, Neymar was greeted with cheers from fans as he exited the team bus. The Brazilian squad will travel on a luxurious 767-300 VIP aircraft, accommodating 96 lie-flat seats, valued at R$ 1 billion. This same plane had previously been used by Flamengo, Fluminense, and Palmeiras for the 2025 Club World Cup and is scheduled to depart for Newark, New Jersey, at 10 p.m. Brasília time, landing at 7 a.m. the following day.

The Brazil national team is set to play a final friendly match against Egypt on Saturday, October 6, in Cleveland. Their World Cup journey begins on June 13 against Morocco in New Jersey, followed by a match against Haiti on June 19 in Philadelphia, and concluding Group C against Scotland on June 24 in Miami.