Brazil World Cup roster snubs: Joao Pedro, Richarlison left off 2026 squad in favor of Neymar and more originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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With World Cup rosters being announced ahead of this summer’s competition, one of the most anticipated final calls that football fans waited for was Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil final squad.
Neymar Jr. did get the nod to the delight of almost every football fan, and even young phenom Endrick did as well. However, there were some notable names who some fans may have been expecting to be on the field or pitchside for the Green and Yellow.
The most notable names all play in the English Premier League. As one of the world’s most tuned-in leagues, these names have had the most eyes on them during the season, and fans may be wondering where this group is ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Here’s which Brazilian players Ancelotti left out of the team’s 2026 World Cup final roster.
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Brazil’s World Cup team snubs
While Neymar did make A Seleção’s final roster, there were a few notable names that Ancelotti opted not to bring to North America for this summer’s World Cup. All three of the most notable snubs play in the English Premier League.
Here is a list of players who couldn’t get enough wind behind their sails to make one final push to join Brazil in their 2026 World Cup chase.
Joao Pedro, Chelsea
Pedro currently ranks third in the Premier League with 15 goals this season. The Chelsea forward has played through the highest-scoring season of his career thus far, including three more goals for The Blues in the Champions League. However, the 24-year-old was not included in Ancelotti’s final squad.
The Chelsea player is still young, compared to the other names on this list. Therefore, there is a likely chance Pedro can still make a future Brazilian squad, perhaps for the 2030 World Cup in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.
MORE:A full roundup of all the most notable players at risk of missing the World Cup due to injury
Richarlison, Tottenham Hotspur
Despite Tottenham’s incredibly subpar season, this summer’s World Cup could have been a great escape for Richarlison. However, Brazil’s leading scorer in the 2022 World Cup (three goals, including a scissor kick worldie) did not get the final nod to play for the Canarinho.
Richarlison’s 10 goals in the Premier League this season have earned the mark of 13th thus far, but the forward just turned 29, and his best days are most likely behind him. Ancelotti seemed to be opting for a more youthful group of Brazilian forwards at this summer’s World Cup, hence the inclusion of standouts Endrick and Rayan.
Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal
While it isn’t that surprising that Gabriel Jesus was left out of Brazil’s final squad, largely due to just two starts for the Gunners this season in the Premier League, it would have been nice to see the once bright talent get one final shot at hoisting a cup for his home country.
Jesus will be a part of the Arsenal squad likely to lift the EPL trophy imminently, and potentially the Champions League trophy if the Gunners can get past PSG. Safe to say, Gabriel Jesus’ 2025-26 season output just wasn’t enough to push the envelope forward.
While the Brazilian team is in a bit of limbo between the past and future generations that did cause some cluster for Ancelotti to navigate while making his final decision, there are some familiar names that missed the cut, including Gabriel Jesus.
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