Coach Carlo Ancelotti announced on Monday the 25th the Brazil national team's squad for the final two rounds of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The call-up marks Lucas Paquetá's return, while Neymar remains absent.
Brazil currently sits third in the table with 25 points and has already secured a place at next year's World Cup. On September 4 at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, the team faces Chile at Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil then visits Bolivia in El Alto on September 9 at 8:30 p.m. Brasília time.
See the full list of players:
GOALKEEPERS
- Alisson (Liverpool)
- Bento (Al-Nassr)
- Hugo Souza (Corinthians)
DEFENDERS
- Alexsandro Ribeiro (Lille)
- Alex Sandro (Flamengo)
- Caio Henrique (Monaco)
- Douglas Santos (Zenit)
- Fabricio Bruno (Cruzeiro)
- Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
- Marquinhos (PSG)
- Vanderson (Monaco)
- Wesley (Roma)
MIDFIELDERS
- Andrey Santos (Chelsea)
- Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle)
- Casemiro (Manchester United)
- Joelinton (Newcastle)
- Lucas Paquetá (West Ham)
FORWARDS
- Estêvão (Chelsea)
- Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
- João Pedro (Chelsea)
- Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro)
- Luiz Henrique (Zenit)
- Matheus Cunha (Manchester United)
- Raphinha (Barcelona)
- Richarlison (Tottenham)
Kaio Jorge Will Make His Brazil Debut
Forward Kaio Jorge is the main surprise in Brazil's squad for the matches against Chile and Bolivia. At 23, Kaio Jorge leads the Campeonato Brasileiro scoring chart with 15 goals and receives his first call-up to wear the yellow shirt. He is the only newcomer on coach Carlo Ancelotti's list, and the manager highlighted the player:
– "A forward's first characteristic is scoring goals. And he is scoring many goals. He is the Campeonato Brasileiro's leading scorer, a very young forward who already has experience and has also played in Italy. So I believe that, because of what he is doing, he deserves to be with the national team."
Another new addition is Zenit's Russian-based full-back Douglas Santos. He had already been called up to the Brazil national team in 2016, however, when Dunga was in charge.
Neymar's Absence and Lucas Paquetá's Return
Neymar will not return to the Brazil national team this time. Santos' number 10 was not included in the squad. After announcing the players, Ancelotti explained the Brazilian star's absence:
"There are new players in this second squad. Neymar is not here; he had a small problem last week. But we do not need to test Neymar. Everyone knows Neymar—the staff, the national team, and Brazil's supporters know Neymar. Like everyone else, Neymar has to be in good physical condition to help the national team do things well at the World Cup. These two matches are the last in qualifying, so we need to finish this qualifying stage well."
On the other hand, West Ham's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paquetá is confirmed in the squad. He had not played for Brazil since November 19, 2024, when the team drew 1–1 with Uruguay. During this period, the player faced fraud proceedings involving sports betting, but was recently cleared following an investigation conducted by the FA (England's Football Association).
