Neymar has officially been included in Brazil's roster for the 2026 World Cup in North America, but Carlo Ancelotti is leaving Chelsea's Player of the Season, Joao Pedro back in London.
Neymar has been included in the Brazilian National Team's World Cup squad for the fourth time (2014. 2018, 2022, 2026) in his decorated career. Neymar is well past his prime at 34-years-old but the forward is a staple of Brazil's team.
He has made 128 appearances for his country, scoring 79 goals (eight in the World Cup). Neymar currently plays for his hometown club Santos in the Brazilian Serie A, and has scored four goals and added two assists in eight matches so far this season.
With Neymar in the team, Carlo Ancelotti was forced to cut an attacker. Unfortunately for Joao Pedro, his name was on the chopping block.
Pedro was just named Chelsea's Player of the Season by supporters hours after learning that he would not appear in the 2026 World Cup for his home nation. Pedro was one of the top forwards in the Premier League this season, scoring 15 goals and adding five assists in the league (20 goals, 6 assists in all competitions).
The Chelsea talisman was expected to named to Ancelotti's team, even though he is scoreless in eight matches with Brazil. At 24-years-old Joao Pedro is a versatile attacker who is capable of playing up front, as a No. 10, or on the left wing.
"Believe me, I am sad for Joao Pedro. With the season he is having he probably deserved to go to the World Cup," Ancelotti told the press in response to not naming Joao Pedro to the squad.
The world will be unable to witness Pedro's skills on the biggest stage due to Ancelotti's roster decisions, be they will see Neymar in the twilight of his career.
Brazil's 2026 World Cup Roster
Goalkeepers |
|
Defenders |
|
Midfielders |
|
Forwards |
|
Players Who Missed the Cut
- Joao Pedro (Chelsea)
- Murillo (Nottingham Forest) *Injured - Late May
- Joelinton (Newcastle United) *Injured - Early June
- Andrey Santos (Chelsea)
- Ederson (Atalanta)
- Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan)
- Antony (Real Betis)
Many pundits and fans around the globe are shocked by the decision to leave Pedro out of the team, and would have had him starting up front for his nation if in Ancelotti's shoes. Pedro outperformed Gabriel Martinelli, Endrick, Rayan, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, and Neymar this past year, with Martinelli noticeably only scoring one goal and assisting three times in the Premier League this season.
Joao Pedro headlines the list of talented players left of Brazil's World Cup team, but there are a lot of players who will be disappointed to not be traveling to North America this summer.
Murillo would have expected to be a part of Carlo Ancelotti's team for his impressive performances with Nottingham Forrest, but the center back has only played one game with the Brazilian national team and suffered a hamstring injury which will keep him on the sidelines until early June, around the time the World Cup begins.
Joelinton is also injured at the moment, but Carlo Ancelloti was clearly leaning towards national team experience by selecting Casemiro and Fabinho over Joelinton. The 29-year-old has made more appearances (8) than midfielder Danilo (2) who was named to the squad.
Ederson and Andrey Santos are other midfielders that had a shout to get into the team over Casemiro, Fabinho and Danilo. Ederson has made three appearances for the national team and Santos has made six.
Carlos Augusto, 27, was shocking left off the team in favor of 35-year-old Alex Sandro and 32-year-old Douglas Santos. Augusto has been consistently reliable for Inter Milan and had as much of a case for the roster as Joao Pedro.
Brazil are deep on the wings and even with Rodrygo out for most of 2026, Antony would have had a hard time competing for a spot on the right wing. However, Antony is arguably a better choice than Rayan and Luiz Henrique in that position.
Discover more from bet365
Read the latest World Cup news on site.
Every Team to Qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
World Cup History & Records.
