Brazil World Cup Squad 2026: 10 Players Fighting for the Final Spots

 

Carlo Ancelotti has a serious selection headache on his hands. With the 26-man Brazil squad announcement coming up, the Italian has already lost Eder Militao, Rodrygo, and Estevao to injury, and those are not small losses. Estevao, in particular, had been one of Brazil's most reliable contributors since Ancelotti took charge of the national team, and losing him at just 18 years old stings.

 

Regulars like Alisson and Raphinha have also had fitness concerns lately. Both are expected to be available, though possibly short of match sharpness.

 

That opens the door. A large pool of players from the 55-man preliminary squad is fighting for limited spots, and several high-profile names are in that mix. I've gone through the list and picked out 10 fringe players who could genuinely make an impact in North America. Some are surprise inclusions. A few might not even make it. But all of them have a case.

 

At GoalBible, we always track the players who could tip a market at big odds. For an early World Cup betting value, I always point readers toward the trusted bookmaker 1Win, where you can already find outright and squad markets.

 

Here are 10 players from that preliminary squad I believe could grab the spotlight.

 

Neymar (Santos)

 

You would think a fit Neymar automatically starts for Brazil. But that is not the case anymore. He is actually at risk of missing the World Cup completely. That sounds crazy, but here we are.

 

The Santos star has struggled with injuries since leaving PSG for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Since coming back to Brazil last year, he has played only 41 matches. And honestly, he has not looked like the same player for years. To be fair, Neymar did step up to help his club avoid relegation. But most of his good games have come against weaker sides.

 

Still, I do not see anyone else on this squad who can carry Brazil through a major tournament. Vinicius Junior and Raphinha have not played nearly as well for the national team as they do for their clubs. On top of that, they both seem to step back and let Neymar take control when he is on the field.

 

Here is the strange part. The 34-year-old has not played for Brazil in almost three years. He appeared in only four of Brazil's 18 qualifying matches. And yet, he still ranked second on the team for goal involvements with five. Only Raphinha's seven were better.

 

So what happens now? Brazilian media talk about this nonstop. Will Ancelotti take him or leave him? Everyone is waiting nervously for that final squad announcement.

 

Thiago Silva (Porto)

 

Marquinhos and Gabriel look solid on paper but haven’t transferred club stability to the Seleção often enough. Thiago Silva last played for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup, captaining the side to a quarter-final exit against Croatia, and he was probably their most steady performer. 

 

Since returning to Fluminense in 2024, he anchored a strong defensive setup that collapsed after he left earlier this year. He then moved to Porto and helped them lock down the league title, though mostly from a rotational role. To me, the “Monster” still operates at a level above most centre-backs currently playing in Brazil’s domestic league. If you want reliability late in a knockout match, Thiago Silva is still a name I trust.

 

Bremer (Juventus)

 

After Marquinhos, Gabriel, and Thiago Silva, Brazil's next best center-back is probably Bremer. Injuries have hurt his national team progress. But even when healthy, he barely got a chance. Six caps. That is all. For a guy who has been one of the best defenders in Italian football for years, that feels wrong. Ancelotti finally noticed him and put him in the last squad. Then the 29-year-old went and scored against France. 

 

Look, on talent alone, Bremer should be on that plane. He was there in 2022. Nothing has changed. But the competition is real. Alexsandro, Roger Ibanez, Leo Pereira, Fabricio Bruno, and Leo Ortiz are all pushing for the same spot. Any one of them could take it.

 

Antony (Real Betis)

 

Antony has not played for Brazil in over three years. He got a call-up in June 2025 but never left the bench during the qualifiers.

 

The former Manchester United winger looks like a completely different player at Real Betis. He has 23 goals and 15 assists in 69 games for the Spanish side. That is hard to ignore. He also played an important role off the bench for manager Tite in 2022. So he has earned a second look.

 

Will he make the World Cup? Probably not. But here is the thing. Injuries to Estevao and Rodrygo might open the door for him. Sometimes that is all a player needs.

 

Rayan (Bournemouth)

 

Same thing here. Rayan has been turning heads at Bournemouth ever since he left Vasco in January. The kid can play on either wing or as a center-forward. That kind of flexibility? Any manager would love that.

 

He is only 19. So Ancelotti might look at him and say, "Too young. Not ready yet." But credit where it is due. The Italian did notice how well he has been playing. He even put Rayan in the Brazil squad during the last international break.

 

Here is the problem. Too many players are chasing too few spots in that area of the pitch. Being able to play multiple positions helps, sure. But I am not sure that alone gets him on the plane.

 

Danilo (Botafogo)

 

This guy has turned his career around. The former Nottingham Forest midfielder never really looked like a goal threat in Europe. But since coming back to Brazil? Different story.

 

Danilo has already scored 10 goals in 23 games this season. That is more than any other year he has played professionally. He made his Brazil debut as a second-half substitute against France and then scored against Croatia in his very next match.

 

So what gives him an edge over other center-midfielders? His club form carries over to the national team. Plus, he has European experience from his time in England. That counts for something.

 

Ederson (Atalanta)

 

Ederson has been one of Atalanta's best players since joining in 2022. He left Brazil as an inconsistent midfielder but adapted really well to Italian football.

 

Here is the weird part. None of that seems to matter to anyone who has coached Brazil. He got his first call-up in 2024 but has only played for the national team three times. His last appearance? That famous 4-1 beating by Argentina. Not exactly a great memory.

 

Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)

 

English fans know this name even though he never played in the Premier League. Gabriel Sara was on fire at Norwich City in the Championship. Now he plays for Galatasaray.

 

He put in some big performances in the Champions League, especially against Juventus. That got Ancelotti's attention. Sara made his Brazil debut during the last international break. He wants to make the World Cup squad. But so do a lot of other capable midfielders.

 

Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest)

 

Igor Jesus helped Nottingham Forest make a deep Europa League run. That only ended when Aston Villa smashed them in the semifinals.

 

He handles the physical style of European football well. He even did well against PSG for Botafogo in the Club World Cup last year.

 

Ancelotti has preferred more mobile forwards like Matheus Cunha and Joao Pedro. But having a real number nine is always useful. Jesus is not the only Igor making noise in the Premier League this season, though.

 

Igor Thiago (Brentford)

 

Igor Thiago has one of the best stories in English football right now. Only Erling Haaland with 26 goals has scored more in the Premier League. Thiago has 22.

 

People question his on-ball skills. Fair enough. But the guy is great in the air and knows how to take a penalty. That would have come in handy during the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal loss to Croatia. Funny enough, he scored a penalty against them in a friendly during the last international break.

 

Both Igors look like the top options for an alternate striker role in North America. But do not forget about Flamengo's Pedro and Cruzeiro's Kaio Jorge. Both have scored plenty of goals since the start of 2025. They are in the mix too.

 

How Far Can Brazil Go at This World Cup? GoalBible Honest Prediction

 

Brazil at a World Cup is different. Club form goes quiet. The shirt weighs more heavily. I have watched enough cycles to know that this squad, even with its question marks, carries an identity few others can match. Neymar or no Neymar, Thiago Silva starting or on the bench, Ancelotti's structure usually peaks at the right time. I believe this Brazil team will be in the conversation deep into the knockout rounds. 

 

If you share that view, it may be worth considering the available outright markets before the odds begin to shorten. That is exactly why I put together GoalBible's full Brazil prediction here, breaking down exactly how far I think the Seleção can go and which markets still hold value before the squad announcement. On 1Win, I regularly check the outright winner and group stage specials for Brazil. The platform makes it easy to back multiple Brazil-related markets without overcomplicating your betting strategy.

 

→ Bet On 1Win Now!

 

FAQs

 

1. Who are the biggest injury absentees for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup?

Eder Militao, Rodrygo, and Estevao have all been ruled out of the tournament. Estevao was particularly notable given his consistent performances for Chelsea since Ancelotti took charge of the national team.

 

2. Will Neymar be in Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad?

It is not guaranteed. Neymar has played just 41 matches since returning to Santos from Saudi Arabia and has not featured for Brazil in nearly three years. He appeared in only four of Brazil's 18 qualifying matches. His inclusion is one of the biggest selection debates in Brazilian football right now, with Carlo Ancelotti yet to confirm his decision.

 

3. How many players can Brazil include in their 2026 World Cup squad?

FIFA allows each nation to name a 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, expanded from the 23-man squads used in previous tournaments.

 

4. Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup being held?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is co-hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and will include 16 host cities across North America.