Brazil forward João Pedro has been left out of Brazil’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite enjoying an impressive individual season at club level.
New Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti announced the squad on Monday, with veteran star Neymar earning a return after recovering from injury.
João Pedro had been widely expected to make the squad after producing strong performances for Chelsea F.C. this season.
Reports noted that the 24-year-old scored regularly and impressed with his attacking displays throughout the campaign, making his omission one of the biggest surprises in the squad announcement.
Ancelotti admitted selecting the final squad was extremely difficult because of the depth of talent available in Brazilian football.
The coach instead preferred experienced names and other attacking options including Vinícius Júnior, Rayan and Igor Thiago.
The decision sparked strong reactions online, with many fans expressing disappointment that João Pedro’s outstanding club form was not rewarded with a World Cup place. However the player’s family had gathered to watch the squad announcement, only to be left heartbroken when his name was not called.
Meanwhile, Brazil will head into the tournament aiming to win a sixth World Cup title, with Neymar expected to play a major leadership role in the squad.
João Pedro is now likely to use the off-season to recover and focus on continuing his impressive development ahead of future international opportunities.
