The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) intensified anticipation for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash against Norway, sharing an energetic message on social media alongside training images of the squad. In a post on X, the CBF highlighted the team's readiness for the high-stakes knockout fixture, writing: 'B R A Z I L. Tick-tock... The time for the 2026 World Cup round of 16 is almost here.' The post featured pictures from the team's practice session ahead of the match against Norway.
Ancelotti Confirms Raphinha Availability
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti announced that forward Raphinha is available for selection for the Round of 16 clash, although the Barcelona winger has not yet returned to full fitness, according to Reuters. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Ancelotti said Raphinha had made rapid progress in his recovery and could feature from the bench if required.
'Raphinha is progressing very well,' Ancelotti told reporters, as quoted by Reuters. 'He is still not at 100%, but he is available to be on the bench and to be able to play a few minutes or be useful at certain moments.'
Importance of Raphinha to the Team
The Brazil coach welcomed the player's speedy recovery and stressed his importance to the national team. 'He recovered very well and very quickly. We are very happy with this because Raphinha is a very, very important player for the team,' he said, as quoted by Reuters.
The match is set to take place in New Jersey, USA, as Brazil aims to advance to the quarterfinals. The CBF's social media post and Ancelotti's update have built significant buzz among fans, with the team looking to secure a strong performance against Norway.
