João Pedro ….Photo/CG
Rio de Janeiro,Brasil
Carlo Ancelotti has officially omitted Chelsea duo João Pedro and Andrey Santos, as well as Tottenham forward Richarlison, from Brazil’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The official roster announcement took place at a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, May 18, 2026.
It sparked immediate debate, notably because the head coach opted to select Neymar despite the veteran’s recent fitness battles.
Key Omissions and Explanations
- João Pedro & Andrey Santos: Despite spectacular domestic club campaigns, both Chelsea players missed the final cut. In his post-squad press conference, Ancelotti addressed their exclusion directly: “Honestly, I feel VERY SORRY for the players who are not in the squad. Like Andrey Santos and João Pedro. They will have chances in the future.”
- Richarlison: After a highly inconsistent run of form and struggle for regular minutes at club level, the Tottenham striker lost his place in the final forward line to emerging talents.
- Other Notable Absentees: Veteran defender Thiago Silva and goalkeeper Bento were also left out of the final tournament plans.
Official 26-Man Brazil World Cup Squad
The full squad locked in by Ancelotti:
| Position [1] | Selected Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Alisson, Ederson, Weverton |
| Defenders | Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Léo Pereira, Bremer, Danilo, Alex Sandro, Wesley, Douglas Santos, Ibañez |
| Midfielders | Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho, Lucas Paquetá |
| Forwards | Vinicius Júnior, Neymar, Endrick, Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha, Luiz Henrique, Rayan, Igor Thiago |
Brazil will kick off their quest for a historic sixth world title on June 13, 2026, against Morocco in Group C.
