Ancelotti backs Chelsea striker Estevão as club and Brasil diverge
Carlo Ancelotti announced on Thursday the 26‑man squad for Brasil’s final Data Fifa of 2026, naming Chelsea striker Estevão despite his limited playing time at the club. The Brazil coach explained that the club and the national team pursue different objectives, and the striker will be given space to develop.
Why Flamengo and Palmeiras were omitted
Rodrigo Caetano explained why no players from Flamengo or Palmeiras were selected for the squad. He said the club and the national team have different objectives, and the coach wants to give space for the striker’s development.
"What we expect from him is that he can show all the qualities he has. What we will do with him is very clear. We will monitor and even if he does not play any minute at Chelsea, until the day we think he is useful for the national team, we will give him the possibility to progress normally. As it has to be with a young 19‑year‑old like him. The objectives are different from what Chelsea has," said the coach.
João Pedro suffered a muscle injury and will not be available for selection.
The final commitments of Brasil in 2026 will be in Asia, with a match against Japan on 14 November at 7:15 Brasília time and another against Singapore on 17 November at 7:00, both at the National Stadium in Singapore.
In the previous Date Fifa, which ran from the end of September to early October, Brasil drew 1‑1 with Australia and later beat them 4‑2, and most recently defeated India 4‑0.
The 26‑man squad includes goalkeepers Bento (Al‑Nassr), Lucas Perri (Torino) and Pedro Morisco (Coritiba).
Defenders called up are Arthur Dias (Athletico‑PR), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Jair Cunha (Nottingham Forest), Jonathan Jesus (Cruzeiro), Vanderson (Monaco), Vitor Reis (Manchester City) and Wesley (Roma).
The midfielders are André Luiz (Corinthians), Andrey Santos (Manchester United), Bruno Guimarães (Arsenal), Danilo (Botafogo), Gabriel Bontempo (Santos), João Gomes (Aston Villa) and Marlon Gomes (Shakhtar Donetsk).
The forwards are Alisson Santana (Shakhtar Donetsk), Allan (Manchester City), Endrick (Real Madrid), Estevão (Chelsea), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth) and Vini Jr (Real Madrid).