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Brazil midfielder Fabinho has put a hefty challenge by Casemiro on Endrick in training down to a level of “high intensity” that is “expected” during the five-time winners’ preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Footage emerged of former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro chopping down the 19-year-old Real Madrid forward as the Selecao build towards their tournament opener against Haiti on June 20 (01:30 BST).
“It’s normal, given the commitment and quality of the players,” said Fabinho, who plays for Saudi side Al-Ittihad and won every major trophy in England, the Champions League and the Club World Cup during his time at Liverpool between 2018 and 2023.
What on earth is Casemiro doing here! 🤯🇧🇷
The Brazilian was recorded putting in a horrible red-card scissor challenge on Endrick in training… 😬 pic.twitter.com/o07bSCMv75
— Sleeper Football (@SleeperFooty) June 4, 2026
“Since it’s the national team, everyone wants to show something more. Even a simple game becomes something intense; everyone wants to do well.
“Fouls happen in every training session. When it’s possible to avoid a stronger challenge, we do, but sometimes you can’t; you want to win the ball, you want to be strong in the contest.”
Egypt are seeking their first win at a World Cup, making it unsurprising that Hossam Hassan wants his country to “do better”.
“I trust my players because their level is very high, whether it’s Mohamed Salah, [Manchester City forward Omar] Marmoush or the players in the Egyptian league,” head coach Hassan told CAF, via Reuters. “They have great ambition.”
The Pharaohs finished five points clear of second-placed Burkina Faso as part of an unbeaten qualification campaign with the help of nine goals in nine matches by Salah.
They proceeded to reach the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-finals and are the record seven-time African champions, with the likeliest occasion for a history-making World Cup win coming in their second or third matches at the finals, taking on New Zealand and Iran after an opener against Belgium on June 15.
Brazil v Egypt team news
All-time top Brazil scorer Neymar is staying in New Jersey to continue rehabilitation on an injured left calf.
Defender Eder Militao (thigh) and winger Willian Estavao (hamstring) are out of the finals and centre-back Gabriel is expected to be rested after representing Arsenal in the Champions League final last Saturday.
Nice centre-half Mohamed Abdelmoneim made his international comeback from a long-term knee injury in Egypt’s 1-0 win over Russia in Cairo on May 28, when Pyramids winger Mostafa Ziko’s header proved decisive.
Marmoush started, having scored three goals in 21 Premier League appearances last season, but Salah, who missed two games with a hamstring issue for Liverpool last month, was rested.
