Italy’s Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of the Brazilian national team, has unveiled the preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup, set to kick off in June in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Brazil, the record five-time world champion, will compete in Group 3 alongside Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti.
The squad features veteran star Neymar Junior and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, but Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has been left out as Brazil prepares for the upcoming tournament. Neymar returns to the national team for the first time since October 2023, following a lengthy absence due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury that raised doubts about his World Cup participation. Ancelotti had previously emphasized he would only select players who are 100% fit.
The preliminary squad includes 55 players, listed as follows:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahçe), Bento (Al Nassr), Hugo Souza (Corinthians), John (Nottingham Forest), Carlos Miguel (Palmeiras).
Defenders: Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Thiago Silva (Porto), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Roger Ibañez (Al Ahli), Alexsandro (Lille), Fabrício Bruno (Cruzeiro), Lucas Beraldo (Paris Saint-Germain), Vitor Reis (Girona), Murillo (Nottingham Forest), Wesley (Roma), Danilo (Flamengo), Paulo Henrique (Vasco), Vitor Hugo (Botafogo), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Luciano Juba (Bahia), Caio Henrique (Monaco), Kaiki (Cruzeiro), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan).
Midfielders: Casemiro (Manchester United), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Fabinho (Al Ittihad), Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Danilo (Botafogo), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray), João Gomes (Wolverhampton), Andreas Pereira (Palmeiras), Joelinton (Newcastle), Gerson (Cruzeiro), Matheus Pereira (Cruzeiro).
Forwards: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), João Pedro (Chelsea), Estevão Willian (Chelsea), Neymar (Santos), Endrick (Lyon), Ryan (Bournemouth), Antony (Real Betis), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Pedro (Flamengo), Richarlison (Tottenham), Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest), Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro).
Notably, three players from the Saudi Pro League made the cut: goalkeeper Bento (Al Nassr), defender Roger Ibañez (Al Ahli), and midfielder Fabinho (Al Ittihad). Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus, a key striker for the club, was omitted, adding to the surprises in Ancelotti’s selection. The squad reflects a blend of experience and youth as Brazil aims for a sixth World Cup title.
