Matheus Cunha's Brace Against Haiti Shows Ancelotti Solved Brazil's Big Problem for 2026

Brazil's 2026 World Cup preparations received a major boost as Matheus Cunha netted a brace in a friendly against Haiti, offering compelling evidence that Carlo Ancelotti has finally addressed the Seleção's most persistent weakness.

What happened

In a warm-up fixture ahead of the tournament, Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Matheus Cunha delivered a clinical performance, scoring twice to lead Brazil to victory. The brace demonstrated exactly the kind of finishing and movement that has eluded Brazil in recent major tournaments, where they have often lacked a reliable goalscorer outside of Neymar.

The context of Brazil's problem

For years, Brazil's biggest headache has been the absence of a natural, consistent number nine. Since the days of Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, the team has cycled through strikers—from Luís Fabiano to Fred and Richarlison—without ever truly settling on a long-term solution. This issue cost them dearly in previous World Cups, with over-reliance on Neymar and a tendency to struggle against compact defences. Ancelotti, who took charge of Brazil in 2023, has made solving this problem his top priority.

Matheus Cunha, primarily a second striker or winger at club level, has been remoulded by Ancelotti as a central forward. His movement, link-up play, and finishing against Haiti showed exactly what the manager envisions: a mobile, intelligent striker who can both create and convert chances. The brace was not just about the goals but the way he occupied defenders and combined with midfielders.

Why it matters for the World Cup

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Ancelotti appears to have found his man. Cunha's form for Wolves in the Premier League has been encouraging, but his international performances now suggest he can carry that into the biggest stage. If he can maintain this level, Brazil will enter the tournament with a lethal option up front, taking some of the creative burden off Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo Goes.

Moreover, this solves Ancelotti's tactical puzzle. The Italian coach prefers a fluid front three, but he needs a focal point who can finish moves. Cunha's brace indicates he can be that man. It also gives Brazil a Plan B: if the opponent sits deep, Cunha's intelligence in tight spaces can unlock defences.

What it means going forward

The performance against Haiti is a statement of intent. Ancelotti has long identified the striker issue as the team's Achilles' heel, and Cunha is now the leading candidate to fill that role. If he continues this form into the group stage, Brazil will be a genuine contender. For the fans, it's the first real glimpse of a solution that could end years of frustration. The 2026 World Cup just got a lot more interesting for the Seleção.