Casemiro says South Korea, Japan key World Cup tests as Brazil open Asia tour

VIDEO SHOWS: BRAZIL'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM PLAYERS IN TRAINING/ BRAZIL NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM'S CAPTAIN CASEMIRO AND HEAD COACH CARLO ANCELOTTI SPEAKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE / SOUNDBITES FROM CASEMIRO AND ANCELOTTI  SHOWS: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (OCTOBER 9, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. VARIOUS OF PLAYERS FROM BRAZIL'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM IN TRAINING  2. BRAZIL'S CAPTAIN CASEMIRO SITTING DOWN AT HEAD TABLE FOR NEWS CONFERENCE  3. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZIL’S CASEMIRO SAYING:     “Today, South Korea and Japan are some of the most important teams. Even though we played against teams from other regions, we are playing against high level teams. To bring them both together is important to know their style, how they are doing, what their level is, so we can know how your rivals are. It’s important to diversify, because at the World Cup you’ll face countless opponents and you never know who you’ll be playing against.” 4. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS 5. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZIL’S CASEMIRO SAYING:     “We know that both Japan and South Korea have top-level players who are playing in Europe. They don’t play here anymore in Asia. They play in Europe’s big teams. We have total respect for South Korea, we know it’s an important game but I can’t cross the line because then it becomes a weapon for our rivals.” 6. CASEMIRO SITTING AT HEAD TABLE  7. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZIL’S CASEMIRO SAYING:     “The most challenging thing is to regain our harmony, our connection. I’ll say it again, we have 40 or 50 days for the World Cup. For me that will be our biggest challenge. If you were in a club, that’s only enough time to begin (training). But we know the national team is always faster, so the sooner we adapt, the better." 8. CASEMIRO STANDING UP TO LEAVE  9. JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE  10. HEAD COACH CARLO ANCELOTTI TAKING HIS SEAT AT THE HEAD TABLE  11. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS 12. ANCELOTTI AT NEWS CONFERENCE  13. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) HEAD COACH OF BRAZIL'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM, CARLO ANCELOTTI, SAYING:     “Tomorrow, Bento will start the game. Hugo Souza will be the goalkeeper the next game. I'm just going to focus on the goalkeeper. I think tomorrow’s game will be an opportunity so the team can improve its quality, its attitude, and the knowledge our team needs for our World Cup preparations.”  14. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS 15. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) HEAD COACH OF BRAZIL'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM, CARLO ANCELOTTI, SAYING:     “The Korean team plays good football, they are an organized team. They are an intense team who plays defense with intensity, who act a lot. They have important players like Son Heung-min has a lot of experience in Europe. “ 16. ANCELOTTI LEAVING  STORY: Brazil captain Casemiro said on Thursday (October 9) that South Korea and Japan are among Asia's strongest sides and will provide valuable preparation for the World Cup as the five-time champions gear up for back-to-back friendlies in the region.     Brazil face South Korea in Seoul on Friday night (October 10), the first time the two sides will meet since the 2022 Qatar World Cup, before heading to Tokyo to play Japan.     The midfielder said both Asian opponents carry significant threats because of the number of players based in Europe.     Casemiro added that Brazil's biggest task ahead of the 2026 World Cup is rebuilding fluency after a long layoff.            Head coach Carlo Ancelotti said the Seoul friendly would help younger players gain experience and sharpen Brazil's readiness for 2026.     Ancelotti recognised South Korea's organization and intensity and singled out Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min.     Brazil are currently ranked sixth in the FIFA world rankings. (Production: Dogyun Kim, Heejung Jung, Nina Lopez) 

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