Inside Brazil’s World Cup roster 2026: Vinicius to lead bid for glory, but will Carlo Ancelotti pick Neymar?

As the most successful World Cup participant in history, Brazil are as embedded in FIFA folklore as possible.

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Ahead of the 2026 tournament, however, the focus is not on maintaining their place atop the football pecking order, but re-establishing it.

At this year’s finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Brazil and esteemed coach Carlo Ancelotti will be aiming to restore the Selecao to the global football throne as they seek their first World Cup title in over 20 years.

The Sporting News has all the key details on Brazil’s World Cup squad below.

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Brazil World Cup roster 2026

Ancelotti will name his final squad on Monday, May 18.

Teams had until Monday, May 11 to submit to FIFA an official preliminary list of 35-55 players, from which they are required to name a final roster by Saturday, May 30.

Below is the predicted list of 26 players for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup. Caps and stats are correct as of May 16.

MORE: A full roundup of all the most notable players at risk of missing the World Cup due to injury

Brazil World Cup squad analysis

The unquestioned superstar of this Brazil roster is Vinicius Jr, which is why the fact he has only scored eight career international goals looms as so surprising. The Real Madrid star needs to step up on the international level for Brazil to have any success.

Beyond that, the biggest weakness of this roster is along the back line, where inexperience and a lack of top-tier European talent hurts them, especially on the flanks. Gabriel and Marquinhos are world-class center-backs and Champions League final opponents, but behind them is a smattering of bit-part European players and those who play domestically in Brazil.

A big storyline heading into Ancelotti’s roster announcement is the potential inclusion or omission of aging superstar Neymar. Ancelotti has been steadfast in demanding the 34-year-old can prove he is fully fit for the grueling environment of a World Cup, even though the player himself has repeatedly insisted he is up to the task.

There are other potential snubs, however. Veterans like Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus could surprise many, while 19-year-old Bournemouth standout Rayan has pushed for a spot but might be crowded out.

This team’s construction is not believed to be of the talent required to win a World Cup, and their drought is likely to continue unless Ancelotti can conjure up something magical.

Brazil injuries ahead of World Cup

Brazil have suffered a number of injuries to critical players, which have ruled them out of World Cup action.

The first to go down was Rodrygo, who suffered a torn ACL while playing for Real Madrid in early March, therefore leaving him out of action this summer. He was followed soon after by club teammate Eder Militao, who sustained a hamstring injury that required surgery.

Also ruled out was Chelsea youngster Estevao, who was enjoying a strong first season in London but suffered a hamstring injury that he was unable to shake off in time for the summer tournament. Monaco full-back Vanderson will not participate as he has been absent since March with a similar problem, which further thins the defensive ranks.

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MORE: A full list of injured star players as the World Cup nears

Brazil players to watch at World Cup

While Vinicius Jr. and his leadership will be the biggest storyline for Brazil at the World Cup, there are also other players to keep an eye on. Of course, Neymar‘s farewell for Brazil will be a major topic if he is included on the roster, but it remains uncertain that he will make the list.

The leadership of Marquinhos, who has been ever-present for Brazil over the past decade-plus, will be critical to manage the big characters in this dressing room.

Veteran midfielder Casemiro has enjoyed a revival season at Manchester United and comes into this tournament in good form, while goalkeeper Alisson took a step back with Liverpool but remains one of the best in the world.

Who is Brazil coach at the World Cup?

After chasing the Italian for years, the CBF finally secured the services of famed European club manager Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the World Cup.

Known colloquially as «Don Carlo,» Ancelotti has been one of the most successful club managers in the history of the game, having won five Champions League titles across stints at AC Milan and Real Madrid. This is his first international position, but Brazil is already so impressed by his contributions since joining in 2025 that they have already re-upped his contract through the 2030 World Cup.

Ancelotti has extensive experience managing big Brazilian personalities from his time in Europe, and he is considered one of the top managers not only at the 2026 World Cup, but in world football today.

Can Brazil replace players on World Cup roster?

Once the final roster is official, participating teams at the World Cup could only make changes before the first game of the tournament, and only in the case of extraordinary circumstances.

According  (page 32), «a player listed on the final list may only be replaced in the event of serious injury or illness up until 24 hours before the start of his team’s first match.»

Brazil World Cup qualifying results

Brazil endured a rocky World Cup qualifying campaign, leaving them worried about missing out entirely for a fair bit of the journey. The Selecao ultimately finished fifth in the 10-team qualifying tournament, eight points clear of the intercontinental playoff position in seventh but also embarrassingly low for a team of their calibre.

In fact, Brazil’s fifth-placed finish was their lowest ever in the history of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.

Brazil World Cup history

Brazil are the most successful nation in World Cup history. They not only have the most titles of any country in history with five, but they are also the only country to participate in every edition of the FIFA World Cup.

The Selecao won their first title in 1958 behind budding teenage superstar Pele, and the all-time great would go on to lead his country to two other FIFA titles before retirement. After a 24-year hiatus, Brazil would return to the top of world football by winning the 1994 World Cup in the United States, narrowly beating the hosts in the Round of 16 before wins over the Netherlands, Sweden, and Italy on penalties in the final saw them lift the trophy.

They would win again in 2002 during the jointly hosted competition in Japan and South Korea, but they have not even been back to the final since then, let alone lifted the trophy. Brazil’s best finish since their last title was on home soil in 2014, a run that had so much promise but exploded spectacularly with the disgraceful 7-1 semifinal defeat to Germany.

• Current FIFA World Ranking: No. 6 (March 2026)
• World Cup titles: 5 (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
• World Cup appearances (last): 22 (Qatar 2022)
• How Brazil qualified, W-L-D: 5th place, CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying
• World Cup record:
  • Games: 114 GP (76W, 19D, 19L)
  • Goal difference: +129 (237 GS, 108 GA)

Brazil World Cup schedule

Brazil, as a Pot 1 team, were drawn into Group C. Their competitors in the group will be Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland.

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Brazil and Group C match schedule

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