The World Cup hasn't even started yet, and there's already controversy.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the two leading contenders, England and Brazil, are once again causing controversy with their surprising personnel decisions. But sometimes coaches have to choose what they believe is right, instead of following the crowd.

The shocks

England manager Thomas Tuchel caused a major shock by dropping a host of stars such as Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, and Cole Palmer. Reuters suggests the German coach is prioritizing teamwork, aiming to build a team with mutual trust and the ability to adapt to various tactical scenarios, rather than simply assembling the most famous players.

Coach Tuchel is playing a big gamble by dropping a number of star players from the England squad.

PHOTO: REUTERS

The Guardian also noted that the England squad clearly reflects Tuchel's familiar style: prioritizing ball control, organization, and team balance. The newspaper particularly pointed out Tuchel's preference for players with high energy, pressing ability, and defensive support. However, the "Three Lions" lacked players capable of creating breakthroughs like Foden and Palmer, who are still crucial in matches against opponents who play defensively. The English media considered these decisions ruthless. Furthermore, Coach Tuchel even personally called around 50 players to inform them of their selection, demonstrating the drastic nature of the squad overhaul before the World Cup.

While England's exclusion sparked controversy, Brazil's squad became the focus of attention due to the inclusion of Neymar. According to Reuters, Neymar remained in Carlo Ancelotti's squad despite a long period battling injuries. The Italian coach asserted that the decision was based on Neymar's fitness and recent form, rather than emotional factors. He further stated that Neymar had improved his physical condition and would be a crucial player for the "Selecao" at the 2026 World Cup.

However, the decision still sparked much debate in Brazil, especially since João Pedro was excluded despite having a more consistent season at club level. International media considered Neymar a symbolic choice because he remains the most influential player in Brazilian football today. FourFourTwo magazine suggested that Ancelotti is trying to maintain a balance between experience and the rejuvenation of the squad, as Brazil currently possesses many young stars such as Endrick and Vinicius.

Echoes from the past

Interestingly, both Tuchel and Ancelotti are doing what most coaches of major national teams have to accept before the World Cup: becoming the center of controversy. A strong team is never built from a list of "26 favorite players." It's built from 26 players who best fit the coach's philosophy. Coach Didier Deschamps faced fierce backlash for repeatedly excluding Karim Benzema from the French team. Coach Vicente del Bosque also caused controversy in Spain when he drastically dropped key players before Euro 2012. But in the end, they both succeeded.

The World Cup is a tournament where players have a great desire to win, but also face immense pressure. A team may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, but it must be the most resilient. Coach Tuchel understands this, which is why he wants the England team to be more disciplined and composed. Meanwhile, Coach Ancelotti keeps Neymar as a spiritual anchor for Brazil. Perhaps both are right. Or perhaps they will fail and become new examples of "going against the crowd" decisions. But at least, before the 2026 World Cup, England and Brazil are showing one thing very clearly: to win the championship, sometimes coaches must dare to bet on their own beliefs. They need to believe that today's controversial decisions can become the foundation for future success.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/world-cup-chua-da-da-tranh-cai-185260523213705248.htm