With the 2024-25 season over and there still being some months till the start of the 2025-26 season, the players are spending their time away from FC Barcelona. Some of these players are enjoying their holidays, while others are busy training and playing with their respective national teams.
One such player who was in action with his national team last night was the Brazilian winger Raphinha. The Blaugrana star featured in the World Cup 2026 qualifying match between Brazil and Paraguay, and helped his side get a 1-0 win. With this win, the Canarinha have secured their presence in the next World Cup.
Another factor that made this victory important was that this was the first win for Carlo Ancelotti in charge of the Brazilian national team.
(Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images)
As [Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/america/20250611/1002481290/raphinha-jugador-espectacular.html) has reported, the Italian tactician also talked to the press after the game. Ancelotti praised several stars of his team for their performances in this game and gave hints about their possible roles in the Brazil team under his watch.
The Barcelona winger Raphinha was also mentioned in this presser, as the Italian highlighted him as a player who combines quality with **“extraordinary physical work”**. Ancelotti went further to describe the Blaugrana star as **“a spectacular player”**.
There is no doubt that this win was a notable achievement for Raphinha and his national team, as it ensures their participation in the next World Cup. There have been some doubts about the most successful national team in the world’s presence in this megaevent, as they started the qualification process in a very poor form.
However, now the Canarinha have qualified for the World Cup and would be looking to add another cup to their tally of 5 World Cups. With a manager as experienced and skilled as Carlo Ancelotti in charge and with players like Raphinha leading their attack, there is no doubt that Brazil will be a team to keep an eye on in the World Cup 2026.