▲ Neymar of Brazil after the defeat against Norway.
The journey home for the Samba squad, Brazil, was a lonely one after their early exit from the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 for the first time in 36 years.
According to a report by Brazilian online media outlet UOL today (July 8, KST), veteran defender Danilo (34, Flamengo) was the only player from the squad to board the team's charter flight home after concluding their 2026 North and Central America World Cup campaign.
Even including Leão Nanechi, a goalkeeper born in 2007 who plays for the Flamengo U-20 team, there were only two players on board.
Although Nanechi was not included in the final World Cup roster, he accompanied the Brazilian national team throughout the tournament as a training partner.
The charter flight, which departed from New Jersey—where the Brazilian team set up its base camp during the tournament—for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, carried the two players along with some members of the Brazilian Football Confederation board, coaching staff, and support personnel.
Brazil, holding the record for the most World Cup titles (five), entered this tournament with the goal of reclaiming the world championship for the first time in 24 years since the 2002 Korea-Japan tournament.
However, they were forced to pack their bags early after a 1-2 loss to Norway, led by Erling Haaland who scored two goals, in the Round of 16 match held at New York/New Jersey Stadium on July 6.
It is the first time in 36 years that Brazil has been eliminated in the Round of 16 of the World Cup since the 1990 Italy tournament (a 0-1 loss to Argentina).
Following the defeat against Norway, the Brazilian Football Confederation disbanded the team on-site and allowed players to return home or travel in whichever way they preferred.
However, they decided to keep the charter flight arranged for the national team.
While the Brazilian national team includes many players active in prestigious European clubs, it also includes players who compete in the domestic league, such as Danilo.
Even forward Neymar, who failed to live up to his reputation in this tournament due to injury, is currently with the Brazilian club Santos.
Criticism over the early elimination continues to mount in Brazil.
Because of this, there is speculation that many players chose not to board the charter flight.
Players who did not return home immediately have scattered across the United States to spend their vacations individually.
It is reported that head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is from Italy, has headed to Vancouver, Canada, where his family resides.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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