Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti addresses controversy over a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match against Norway in which Bruno Guimarães took a penalty instead of Vinícius Júnior. Multiple outlets report that Vinícius, despite being Brazil’s most prominent attacking player, is not the team’s designated penalty taker. According to coverage, Ancelotti’s approach is that Guimarães is trusted to take Brazil’s penalties. The decision came under scrutiny because Vinícius had the ball at the penalty spot before the kick, and Guimarães ultimately took the strike. Fox Sports and others describe the moment as Vinícius handing the ball to Guimarães, reinforcing that the handover followed a planned hierarchy rather than a spontaneous switch. After Guimarães missed the penalty against Norway, additional questions were raised about whether Vinícius should have been chosen. Outlets also note that Ancelotti provides clarification for the selection process, emphasizing his choice of Guimarães as Brazil’s preferred penalty taker.