Brazil national football team have officially released their 55-man preliminary squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with several major talking points including the return of veteran defender Thiago Silva and uncertainty surrounding Neymar’s final inclusion.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make the final decision on the squad next week, with Thiago Silva, Neymar and several experienced stars still awaiting confirmation for the final tournament roster.
One of the biggest headlines is the return of Thiago Silva, who has not played for Brazil since the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The 41-year-old defender earned a recall after impressing under Ancelotti’s system and helping FC Porto win the league title this season.
Meanwhile, Brazilian wonderkid Estêvão has reportedly been ruled out of the 2026 World Cup, according to TNT Brasil. The young forward is not expected to recover in time despite being one of the top scorers under Ancelotti this season, and he is set to miss out on the final squad.
Forwards
- Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
- Raphinha (Barcelona)
- Matheus Cunha (Manchester United)
- Luiz Henrique (Zenit)
- Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
- João Pedro (Chelsea)
- Estêvão (Chelsea)
- Neymar (Santos)
- Endrick (Lyon)
- Rayan (Bournemouth)
- Antony (Real Betis)
- Igor Thiago (Brentford)
- Pedro (Flamengo)
- Richarlison (Tottenham)
- Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest)
- Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro)
Midfielders
- Casemiro (Manchester United)
- Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United)
- Fabinho (Al-Ittihad)
- Andrey Santos (Chelsea)
- Danilo (Botafogo)
- Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo)
- Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)
- João Gomes (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
- Andreas Pereira (Palmeiras)
- Joelinton (Newcastle United)
- Gerson (Cruzeiro)
- Matheus Pereira (Cruzeiro)
Defenders
- Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Thiago Silva (FC Porto)
- Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
- Bremer (Juventus)
- Léo Pereira (Flamengo)
- Ibañez (Al-Ahli)
- Alexsandro (Lille)
- Fabrício Bruno (Cruzeiro)
- Beraldo (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Vitor Reis (Girona)
- Murillo (Nottingham Forest)
- Wesley (Roma)
- Danilo (Flamengo)
- Paulo Henrique (Vasco da Gama)
- Vitinho (Botafogo)
- Alex Sandro (Flamengo)
- Douglas Santos (Zenit)
- Luciano Juba (Bahia)
- Caio Henrique (Monaco)
- Kaiki (Cruzeiro)
- Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan)
Goalkeepers
- Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
- Ederson (Fenerbahçe)
- Bento (Al-Nassr)
- Hugo Souza (Corinthians)
- John (Nottingham Forest)
- Carlos Miguel (Palmeiras)
Brazil’s final World Cup squad announcement is expected next week as Ancelotti prepares for his first major tournament in charge of the five-time world champions.