Brazil's Return Trip After World Cup Exit Takes a Surprising Turn

The Brazil national team returned home after being eliminated in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, losing to Norway. However, the return journey featured a notable scene as defender Danilo was the only player from the squad who boarded the flight to Rio de Janeiro.

According to reports, most Brazilian players, who play in European leagues, headed directly to various destinations for their summer vacation, which began early following their World Cup exit.

In contrast, players participating in the Brazilian league will receive a week off before returning to their clubs to resume league competition after the World Cup break.

Alongside Danilo, the flight included coaching and administrative staff, as well as several members of the "Seleção" delegation, including goalkeeper Leo Nascimento, who was not part of the final World Cup squad but trained throughout the tournament.

Meanwhile, head coach Carlo Ancelotti preferred to head to Vancouver for a few days of rest before preparing for upcoming commitments, including the international break in September, which is expected to see significant changes within the Brazilian team following the disappointment of an early World Cup exit.