Italian Carlo Ancelotti, manager of the Brazil national team, has announced the official preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will kick off next June. The list includes veteran star Neymar Jr. alongside Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior, while Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has been left out as Brazil prepares for the tournament to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Ancelotti also included three players from the Saudi Professional League in the "Samba Dancers" squad: Bento (Al-Nassr goalkeeper), Roger Ibáñez (Al-Ahli defender), and Fabinho (Al-Ittihad midfielder).
Neymar has been absent from the Brazil national team since October 2023 after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. Due to his recurring injuries, many speculated he would miss the World Cup, especially after Ancelotti confirmed he would only rely on players who are 100% fit.
Brazil's preliminary squad includes 55 players:
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), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Roger Ibáñez (Al-Ahli), Alexandro (Lille), Fabrício Bruno (Cruzeiro), Lucas Peraldo (Paris Saint-Germain), Vítor Reis (Girona), Murilo (Nottingham Forest)
Right-backs:
Wesley (Roma), Danilo (Flamengo), Paulo Henrique (Vasco), Vitinho (Botafogo)
Left-backs:
Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Luciano Juba (Bahia), Kayo Henrique (Monaco), Kaiki (Cruzeiro), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan)
Midfielders:
Casemiro (Manchester United), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), André Santos (Chelsea), Danilo (Botafogo), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray), João Gomes (Wolverhampton), Andreas Pereira (Palmeiras), Jhonětton (Newcastle), Gérson (Cruzeiro), Matheus Pereira (Cruzeiro)
Forwards:
Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), João Pedro and Estêvão (Chelsea), Neymar (Santos), Endrick (Lyon), Ryan (Bournemouth), Antony (Real Betis), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Pedro (Flamengo), Richarlison (Tottenham), Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest), Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro)
