Carlo Ancelotti dropped a hint in his latest Brazil press conference that will surely put Andre and Joao Gomes on alert.
The Wolves duo are currently with the national team, having received call-ups from the Italian for the first time.
Andre and Joao Gomes did not make either of Ancelotti’s first two squads after he took the job back in May.
To miss out on those squads would have come as a frustrating blow to both, but they now have opportunities to show Ancelotti what they can do for the national team.
Last week, Brazil took on South Korea and won 5-0, with Estevao, Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Jr all on target.
Andre played the final 15 minutes or so after coming on as a substitute with the game already wrapped up, but Joao Gomes was left on the bench.
It’s clear at the moment that neither are top of the pecking order, and an update from Ancelotti will likely put both players on alert.
- READ MORE: How Brazil fans have reacted to Wolves duo Andre and Joao Gomes being called up by Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti drops World Cup squad hint as Andre and Joao Gomes seek final inclusion
The Brazil national team has always had quality players.
It is a nation famous for producing amazing footballing talent, and it can therefore be very difficult for players to get into the squad unless they are top stars.
At the moment, it is safe to say that Wolves duo Andre and Gomes have work to do to make Ancelotti’s final World Cup squad.
And it seems the Italian is actually looking to finalise his final squad relatively early.
As quoted by Globo Esporte, he said: “We have to see what is the best strategy for us. It’s a moment, until the November FIFA date, where we can try some things, give more opportunities to other players.
“The March FIFA Date could be the roster that will play the World Cup. We have to manage these two things.
“A team that little by little will be more defined with other players that we want to see how they incorporate into the game.”
Andre and Joao Gomes must quickly pick up their form for Wolves
It sounds as though Ancelotti will be giving his fringe players a fair crack of the whip ahead of next year’s World Cup. Ahead of this latest international break, Ancelotti did say he wanted to look at both Andre and Gomes as he didn’t know them that well.
It will be important for the Wolves pair to make the most of any opportunities they are given against Japan tomorrow night, and then they’ll hope to be called up again for the games in November.
What will also be vital is the pair playing consistently well for Wolves.
If Andre and Gomes are to get seats on the plane to the 2026 World Cup, then it is paramount that they are making solid impacts for Wolves, and ideally they’ll be helping the team move well away from the relegation zone.
Theoretically, there’d perhaps be a greater chance of them both making it into the final squad if they’re playing well and Wolves are not flirting with the drop.