Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of the Brazilian national team, will submit a 55-player preliminary squad to FIFA this Monday, with Neymar, Estêvão, and even veteran defender Thiago Silva—who has yet to be called up by the Italian tactician—expected to be included.
Those left off this confidential document, which won’t be disclosed to the players themselves, will be ruled out from contention for the final 26-man roster that will represent Brazil at the 2026 World Cup. The definitive squad is set to be announced on May 18.
Since this preliminary list includes 29 names that will ultimately be cut, the submission to FIFA must account for potential changes, whether due to tactical considerations or injuries—as in Estêvão’s case. The Chelsea forward was a lock for the tournament but is currently recovering from a right thigh injury and is racing against time to regain fitness.
Neymar and Thiago Silva, meanwhile, fall into the category of coach’s discretion. Neymar hasn’t played for Brazil since October 2023 and was overlooked by Ancelotti in recent call-ups, though he remains under evaluation. Thiago Silva, who last featured for the Seleção during the 2022 World Cup, hasn’t been considered either—yet at 41, the center-back previously played under Ancelotti at PSG in 2012 and maintains a strong rapport with the coach. Given Brazil’s persistent defensive issues and Éder Militão’s injury, Silva has not been ruled out.
Neither the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) nor FIFA will release the 55-name list. Per FIFA protocol, clubs will only be informed of Ancelotti’s choices after the final announcement, when the 26 selected players are finalized.
Despite the secrecy leading up to May 18, there are few lingering doubts about the squad makeup. Ancelotti’s primary concern at the moment is fitness. With less than a month before the tournament begins, he has already lost Éder Militão and Rodrygo to injuries, and there is growing pessimism about Estêvão’s recovery.
Since returning to Brazil in late April, Ancelotti has held daily meetings with his coaching staff to assess players’ physical and technical form. Alongside his assistants and performance analysts, executive coordinator Rodrigo Caetano and technical coordinator Juan have been part of these discussions. The final meeting is scheduled for this Monday at CBF headquarters, where the list of 55 eligible players will be finalized and submitted.
World Cup preparations will begin on May 25, when called-up players report to Granja Comary in Teresópolis for training. On May 31, Brazil will play a farewell match against Panama at Maracanã, before departing for the United States. Another friendly against Egypt takes place on June 6 in Cleveland, and one week later, the Seleção kicks off its World Cup campaign against Morocco in New Jersey.