Brazil's 2026 World Cup Squad — Full Roster
Carlo Ancelotti announced Brazil's official 26-man squad on May 18, 2026, at Rio de Janeiro's Museum of Tomorrow in a ceremony that drew celebrities, World Cup legends, and thousands of fans who gathered outside chanting Neymar's name. The squad blends tournament experience with youth, built around the core of Vinícius Jr. and a returning Neymar.
Goalkeepers
- Alisson Becker — Liverpool
- Ederson — Fenerbahçe
- Weverton — Grêmio
Defenders
- Marquinhos — Paris Saint-Germain (captain)
- Gabriel Magalhães — Arsenal
- Bremer — Juventus
- Danilo — Free agent
- Alex Sandro — Free agent
- Léo Pereira — Flamengo
- Ibañez — Al-Ahli
- Wesley — Roma
- Douglas Santos — Zenit St. Petersburg
Midfielders
- Bruno Guimarães — Newcastle United
- Lucas Paquetá — Flamengo
- Casemiro — Manchester United
- Fabinho — Al-Ittihad
- Danilo Santos — Botafogo
Forwards
- Neymar Jr. — Santos
- Vinícius Júnior — Real Madrid
- Raphinha — Barcelona
- Gabriel Martinelli — Arsenal
- Endrick — Lyon
- Matheus Cunha — Manchester United
- Igor Thiago — Brentford
- Luiz Henrique — Zenit St. Petersburg
- Rayan — Bournemouth
Key Players to Watch
Neymar Jr. — The Return
Brazil's all-time leading scorer returns after 2.5 years away following a serious knee injury against Uruguay in October 2023. He arrives with 79 international goals and 128 caps — more than any player in Seleção history. This is almost certainly his final World Cup. Ancelotti has said he can play a key role in the squad, though whether he starts or comes off the bench in the early matches remains an open question.
Vinícius Júnior — The Danger Man
The Real Madrid winger is Brazil's most electric player when fully fit and confident. His pace and directness make him a constant threat, and he will likely be the focal point of Brazil's attacking game. His form in the final weeks before the tournament will be a major indicator of how far Brazil can go.
Raphinha — The Engine
Barcelona's Raphinha has become one of the most consistent performers in world football. He provides creativity, work rate, and goal threat in a way that no other Brazilian can — a key reason why Ancelotti will build much of the attack around him.
Bruno Guimarães — The Heartbeat
Newcastle's Brazilian midfielder has been one of the best in the Premier League for two seasons. He controls tempo, wins the ball, and drives forward — the kind of player who makes everyone around him better. Brazil's best chance of winning the tournament likely runs through how well he performs.
Notable Omissions
Rodrygo (Real Madrid) and Estêvão (Chelsea) — both absent through injury, which is part of what opened the door for Neymar's return. João Pedro (Chelsea) was cut in a surprise decision that Ancelotti described as one of his most difficult calls. Thiago Silva, 41 years old and a veteran of four World Cups, was not included. Bento, the Al-Nassr goalkeeper, was also left out.
Carlo Ancelotti — The Coach
Italy's most decorated club manager took over the Brazilian national team in 2024, becoming the first foreign coach to lead the Seleção since Felipe Scolari's first stint. Ancelotti's career includes five Champions League titles — three with Real Madrid. His approach prioritizes tactical flexibility, keeping players physically fit, and managing big personalities. He set a firm fitness standard early: only players at 100% would make the squad. His decision to include Neymar despite months of uncertainty showed he's willing to make bold calls when the evidence supports it.
Brazil's Group Stage Schedule — MetLife Stadium
All three of Brazil's group stage matches are at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ — making New York the effective home base for the Seleção's entire opening run. This is genuinely rare: most teams in a 48-team, 16-group tournament play across multiple cities. Brazil stays in one place, and that place is a 20-minute train ride from Midtown Manhattan.
- June 13, 2026 — Brazil vs. Morocco, MetLife Stadium
- June 19, 2026 — Brazil vs. Haiti, MetLife Stadium
- June 24, 2026 — Brazil vs. Scotland, MetLife Stadium
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Can Brazil Win the 2026 World Cup?
Brazil enters as one of the tournament favorites. They have the squad depth, the coaching pedigree, and — if Neymar is close to his best — the star power to go all the way. The biggest question marks are around fitness: Rodrygo and Estêvão are already out, and Neymar's conditioning after a long injury absence is an unknown. Vinícius Jr.'s form and attitude in high-pressure moments will also be scrutinized. But the group stage draw is favorable, all three matches are in New Jersey, and a deep run into the knockout rounds seems likely.
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Watching Brazil in NYC
New York has one of the largest Brazilian communities on the East Coast, concentrated in Astoria, Queens and parts of Manhattan. Whether you have MetLife tickets or you're watching with the crowd at a fan zone or bar, the city will be loud for every Brazil match.