No Seleção - The Biggest Names Absent from Brazil's 2026 World Cup Squad

Who Are Brazil's Most Controversial World Cup 2026 Absentees?

Yesterday saw Carlo Ancelotti narrow down his 55-player provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup to the final group to take to this summer's tournament across North America in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Many took to the streets with pleas to the Italian to include Neymar Jr in the final squad, and the 34 year-old was picked by the Italian manager. SOme big names such as Rodrygo, Estevao and Eder Militao will not appear due to injury, but who were some key names that may count themselves unlucky to miss out?

João Pedro (Chelsea)

Perhaps the most surprising exclusion made by Carlo Ancelotti, many eyebrows were raised when Joao Pedro's name was not included in the list of players representing one of football's most iconic nations on the biggest stage this summer.

Joao Pedro is our 25/26 Player of the Season. 🇧🇷💙 pic.twitter.com/bkCyUyECEq

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 19, 2026

Pedro joined Chelsea last summer from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal totalling £60 million.

Chelsea have endured somewhat of a curse when it comes to centre forwards over recent years, however Pedro has proved to be a fine addition to the Blues forward line.

The Brazilian has scored 23 goals and provided six assists during his first campagin in West London, nad was named Chelsea's Player Of The Season for the 25/26 campagin.

Debut season. 👏 pic.twitter.com/syN8HrYQas

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 19, 2026

Pedro hit the ground running at Chelsea, joining the club as they took part in last summer's FIFA Club World Cup, and played three times in the tournament and scored three times.

Chelsea have had a poor season, but Pedro has been a shining light and could have easily lead the line for his national side. Making his exclusion highly controversial.

Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur)

Another forward and another player plying their trade in London, Tottenham's Richarlison.

The Spurs striker divides opinion, but there's no doubt that the 29 year-old is a strong hard worker, and is more than capable of scoring big goals in big moments.

"NOW THAT IS BRAZIL" 🇧🇷

RICHARLISON scored this overhead kick—voted best goal of the World Cup—a year ago today. 😍

Everton lawyers must have used this clip to argue Richy was undervalued when sold for $75M. 😉pic.twitter.com/fSvk9qYbNN

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) November 24, 2023

And that has shown in the past when wearing the famous colours of his national team. Richarlison has 20 goals in 54 caps for the Seleção, including the goal of the tournament at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scoring a sensational overhead kick.

In what has been a truly awful season on and off the pitch at Tottenham, Richarlison has contributed to ten Premier League goals, representing a solid return with his exclusion from the squad perhaps a surprise to many.

Antony (Real Betis)

Those who remembered Antony's time in England with Manchester United may not be surprised by the 26 year-old wingers exclusion from the Brazil squad, but his form since moving to Real Betis has been worthy of making it to North America this Summer.

The winger moved to the Seville-based side on a six month loan deal for the second half of the 2024/25 season, and exploded into life. Scoring nine times and assisting five in 26 games.

Antony con el Real Betis: 24 G/A. 14 goles y 10 asistencias.

Rayan. Solo media temporada en Premier: 7 G/A. 5 goles y 2 asistencias.

Luiz Henrique en Rusia. 8 G/A. 5 goles y 3 asistencias.

Adivinad qué jugador no ha ido al Mundial con Brasil. Muy injusto. pic.twitter.com/AWtAk4wt7C

— Gonzalo Tortosa (@GonzaloTortosa) May 18, 2026

That form made Betis and Antony both desperate to make the Brazilian's stay in Seville permanent, and they did just that in a €25 million move.

This season has seen Antony deliver again for Betis in his first full season in green and white, scoring fourteen times and assisting ten as Betis qualified for the UEFA Champions League.

Ederson (Atalanta)

One of the most in-form midfielders in the Italian Serie A over the past few seasons. Atlanta central midfielder Ederson has enjoyed another fine campagin for the Lombardia club.

🚨🇧🇷 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Éderson's strike vs Barcelona has been named as Atalanta's Goal of the Season! 🥇✨ pic.twitter.com/y9WPDpddpl

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) July 2, 2025

The 25/26 season has been the third consecutive campagin that Ederson has made over 40 appearances in the heart of the Atalanta midfield, and was a key part of the team that won the UEFA Europa League last season.

At 26, he is entering his prime years. However, more experienced names such as Casemiro and Lucas Paqueta were chosen to represent Brazil this summer over Ederson. However, with big clubs like Manchester United reportedly keen on signing him, he could find himself on Brazil's radar for future tournaments.

Andrey Santos (Chelsea)

Another Chelsea player that can perhaps count themselves rather unlucky to miss out on Brazil's squad. Andrey Santos's admission from the group heading to North America may not be as surprising as teammate Joao Pedro, but is still slightly surprising given his recent form for the Blues.

Andrey Santos on IG 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/EVnyoDIkcI

— Chelsea Photos (@ChelseaInPhotos) May 19, 2026

The 22 year-old was signed by Chelsea as a teenager from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in 2023. Before being loaned out to Strasbourg for two seasons. And after impressing in his second campagin for the French side, the young central midfielder was given his chance to make a name for himself at Stamford Bridge.

After a somewhat slow start to the campagin, Santos has found form at times in the middle of the park for Chelsea during 2026 particularly. his performances. In total, Santos has made 46 appearances for Chelsea this season.

Whilst his admission may not be too much of a surprise given he only has 12 starts in the Premier League for Chelsea, Santos has shown promise and at 22, has plenty of time to earn himself caps in the future for his national team despite missing out on this summer's World Cup.