Commentators debate their ideal Brazil squad for the World Cup, with Neymar’s name in the mix.
Estêvão’s World Cup dream is effectively postponed, while another week of uncertainty looms over Neymar’s final verdict.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) will send a 55-man pre-list to FIFA late Monday afternoon for the World Cup, which kicks off in a month. The expectation is that Chelsea’s Estêvão will be absent due to injury. Meanwhile, Santos’ No. 10, Neymar, follows the pattern of Carlo Ancelotti’s previous extended lists, but his inclusion among the final 26 to be announced in a week remains unlikely.
A decision on Neymar rests with the coach, but behind the scenes at the CBF, other uncertainties command more attention. One key dilemma is the split between midfielders and forwards: with Estêvão’s injury, Ancelotti is weighing whether to stick with the planned five midfielders and nine attackers. Although the Chelsea player decided against surgery and traveled to Brazil for conservative treatment to keep his World Cup dream alive, the coaching staff believes there is no time for recovery. They align with the club’s diagnosis, which doesn’t count on the youngster for the start of the season. According to the CBF’s medical department, Estêvão wouldn’t even be fit for the knockout stages.
The CBF president has confirmed Ancelotti’s renewal, stating he already has a signed contract. It will be up to Ancelotti to decide whether to include Estêvão in the 55-man pre-list, but with just hours left before submission to FIFA, it appears the young player will make way for a healthier candidate for the World Cup.
Neymar’s inclusion in the pre-list sticks to the standard pattern since Ancelotti took over, rather than signaling a likely call-up. Whenever fit, Neymar has been on pre-lists for FIFA dates under the Italian, but never in the final squad. Internally, his call-up for the World Cup is considered a surprise.
One name firmly in contention, despite never having been called up, is Flamengo’s Pedro. Ancelotti mentioned in November that he would like to include the striker, and he is now discussing with his colleagues whether it’s worth betting on him—especially since he hasn’t even been observed in training.
Chelsea’s poor 2026 campaign also casts doubt on Andrey Santos’ presence, particularly due to the dilemma between five or six midfielders. Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Fabinho, Danilo Santos, and Lucas Paquetá are ahead in this competition. In this scenario, the battle essentially comes down to Vasco da Gama academy products. If Andrey is left out, it opens up room in attack for Rayan, who impressed during the March FIFA date and emerges as an alternative to play on the right in Estêvão’s absence.
**How does the pre-list work?**
Submitting the pre-list is part of the protocol required by FIFA for the competition. In this way, all 55 players are registered for the World Cup, but only 26 can be part of the final squad. Teams have until the opening day of the tournament, June 11, to make any changes they see fit among these players. After the World Cup kicks off, changes are only allowed 24 hours before a team’s debut, provided an injury is confirmed by a medical report. From then on, the only exception applies to goalkeepers—also for proven physical issues.
The final squad for the World Cup will be announced next week.