Former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro played every minute as his Brazil team walloped Haiti 3-0 in their second World Cup 2026 game
Casemiro (Brazil) looks on during Group C FIFA World Cup 2026, Brazil and Morocco
Casemiro was the subject of criticism after Brazil's second game at World Cup 2026(Image: Getty)
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Casemiro has come under fire from a number of Brazilian football pundits following the ex-Manchester United midfielder's World Cup 2026 display against Haiti. Brazil swept aside their opponents 3-0 in Philadelphia.
Having been held in their opening fixture against Morocco, Carlo Ancelotti's side were determined to bounce back against Haiti and did exactly that. A brace from Matheus Cunha and a Vinicius Junior strike saw them climb to the summit of Group C.
Casemiro had been particularly underwhelming against Morocco and was hauled off at half-time. Yet in Brazil's most recent outing, he once again partnered Bruno Guimaraes in midfield as a holding enforcer, kept a clean sheet and played every single minute of the match.
However, while some Brazilian media outlets were more measured in their assessment, one publication's writers delivered a scathing verdict on the former United man.
O Globo called upon its panel of columnists and correspondents to share their views on who shone for Brazil against Haiti and which players fell short of the mark. Eight were questioned and when it came to underwhelming displays, five chose to highlight Casemiro, who departed Old Trafford following the end of his contract this month.
Casemiro of Brazil passes the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Haiti at Philadelphia Stadium
Casemiro started as Brazil beat Haiti 3-0(Image: Getty)
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The first observed: "He struggled even against a much weaker opponent and stood out in midfield, which featured Guimaraes and [Lucas] Paqueta who played well."
A second commented: "He hasn't found his form in the competition yet. He seems lost, below his usual level." While another acknowledged: "It's impressive how nervousness is coming from someone where experience was expected. Both performances so far are worrying. He could lose his place, which he only holds because of Ancelotti's confidence in him."
"Luckily, it was Haiti. When pressured, he couldn't hold up," suggested a fourth, as a fifth wrote: "He couldn't even defend well or organise the build-up play."
Other outlets did not hold this opinion, as Casemiro completed the match with the most duels won for his team, the most tackles and the most fouls won.
Speaking following the opening fixture against Morocco, boss Ancelotti defended his decision to withdraw Casemiro at the interval, insisting that this was merely the start of their World Cup campaign.
"They are good players. I think I made the right choices and I won't accept any criticism of individual players," he said. "If there is any criticism, it concerns the whole team.
Brazil's Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti (R) and Brazil's midfielder #05 Casemiro take part in an MD-1 training session at Columbia Park Training Facility in Morristown, New jersey, on June 18, 2026, on the eve of the World Cup 2026
Ancelotti defended his side after their opening draw(Image: Getty)
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"You can't expect the team to be perfect from the start; you don't win the World Cup in the first match. My confidence in the players is absolute. In football, everything doesn't go perfectly. This is just the beginning of the journey.
"I think the team was a bit anxious at the beginning. Nerves were on edge. But the team fought until the last minute, that's the positive aspect. It's quite clear that we need to improve."