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Brazil’s final squad for the 2026 World Cup has been confirmed — and it features some surprising omissions.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti has assembled one of the most formidable line-ups of the tournament, with the headline news being the inclusion of record goalscorer Neymar, who makes the cut at 34 years of age.

However, notable absentees include Joao Pedro, Richarlison, Savinho, Gabriel Jesus, Andrey Santos, and veteran defender Thiago Silva, who has 113 international caps to his name.

Brentford forward Igor Thiago and Bournemouth’s young talent Rayan, both of whom received their first senior call-ups in March, have retained their places. Rayan was described by FFT’s Joe Donnohue as a promising youngster “marked by his instinct to shoot the moment he gets a glimpse of goal,” in the ‘The Boy’s A Bit Special’ series. Both have now earned their seats on the flight to the World Cup.

Premier League stars Casemiro, Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha, and Bruno Guimaraes are also included, alongside Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and 19-year-old sensation Endrick.

Ancelotti recently renewed his contract with the Selecao as they aim to end a 24-year drought and bring the World Cup back to Brazil.

The big question now is whether this squad has what it takes to go all the way in North America.

Goalkeepers:

Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)

Defenders:

Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Danilo Luiz (Flamengo), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Wesley (Roma), Roger Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Leo Pereira (Flamengo)

Midfielders:

Casemiro (Manchester United), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Danilo Santos (Botafogo)

Forwards:

Neymar (Santos), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Endrick (Lyon), Luiz Henrique (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Rayan (Bournemouth)

Brazil’s World Cup 2026 fixtures:

May 31, 2026: Brazil vs Panama, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

June 6, 2026: Brazil vs Egypt, Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, United States

June 13, 2026: Brazil vs Morocco, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, United States

June 19, 2026: Brazil vs Haiti, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, United States

June 24, 2026: Scotland vs Brazil, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, United States

Recent Results:

March 31, 2026: Brazil 3-1 Croatia, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, United States

March 28, 2026: France 2-1 Brazil, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, United States

November 18, 2025: Brazil 1-1 Tunisia, Decathlon Arena (Stade Pierre-Mauroy), Lille, France

November 15, 2025: Brazil 2-0 Senegal, Emirates Stadium, London, England

October 14, 2025: Japan 3-2 Brazil, Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo, Japan

October 10, 2025: South Korea 0-5 Brazil, Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea

September 10, 2025: Bolivia 1-0 Brazil, El Alto Municipal Stadium, El Alto, Bolivia

September 5, 2025: Brazil 3-0 Chile, Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho (Maracanã), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

June 11, 2025: Brazil 1-0 Paraguay, Neo Quimica Arena, Sao Paulo, Brazil

June 6, 2025: Ecuador 0-0 Brazil, Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha, Guayaquil, Ecuador

March 26, 2025: Argentina 4-1 Brazil, Mas Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina

March 21, 2025: Brazil 2-1 Colombia, Arena BRB Mane Garrincha, Brasilia, Brazil

Brazil have been drawn in Group C for the 2026 World Cup.

Carlo Ancelotti boasts an illustrious club career with triumphs at Real Madrid, AC Milan, PSG, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea, making him the only manager to have won league titles in Europe’s top five competitions. However, the Brazil national team role represents his first venture into international management.

His close ties with Real Madrid mean several Brazilian players are already familiar with his coaching style, which could prove beneficial as Brazil pursue their sixth World Cup title after more than two decades.

During his early tenure, Ancelotti’s team selections were limited by injuries to Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, but his return now strengthens the squad significantly.

Vinicius Junior came agonisingly close to achieving legendary status in Brazilian football when he finished second in the 2024 Ballon d’Or. Although his most recent season was slightly below expectations, he remains one of the elite players in world football.

Currently ranked No.3 in FourFourTwo’s list of the best left wingers in the world, Vinicius will be pivotal to Brazil’s success in North America. Still, he will be aiming to improve his national team record, having scored just seven goals in 41 caps so far.

— Reported by Ewan Gennery, Freelance Sports Writer