In Quantum-ESPRESSO (QE), the exchange-correlation (XC) functional used is determined based on that specified in pseudopotential files. However, if you want to use the functional other than that, then use the key word input_dft. In case you want to use Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) generalized gradient approximation (PBE) functional (in may cases, this is the default choice), use the variable input_dft as
&SYSTEM ... input_dft = 'pbe' ... /
and in the case of PBEsol
input_dft = 'pbesol'