Estevao to miss 2026 World Cup

…Neymar Returns to Brazil Preliminary Squad

Chelsea forward Estevao will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being left out of Brazil’s 55-man preliminary squad submitted by head coach Carlo Ancelotti, according to ESPN.

The 19-year-old’s chances of making the tournament had been in doubt since suffering a muscle injury to his right thigh during Chelsea’s 1-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester United on April 18.

Sources said there was initial optimism that Estêvão could recover in time for his first World Cup appearance. However, medical teams from both Brazil and Chelsea were unable to guarantee that he would regain full fitness before the tournament.

The player was reportedly aware his chances were slim and appeared visibly disappointed when he arrived at his former club, Palmeiras, for treatment last week.

Read Also: Estevao’s World Cup hopes in doubt after hamstring injury

National teams were required to submit their preliminary 55-man lists to FIFA by May 11, with final 26-man squads to be selected exclusively from those lists.

Meanwhile, Neymar has taken a significant step toward a fourth World Cup appearance after being included in the expanded squad. Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals had not featured in any squad since Ancelotti took charge of the Seleção in June.

Before his injury, Estêvão was widely considered a guaranteed selection, with Ancelotti known to be a strong admirer of the young forward. Since joining Chelsea from Palmeiras for £29 million last summer, the teenager has scored eight goals in 36 appearances across all competitions.

Estêvão will now miss the tournament alongside Éder Militão and Rodrygo of Real Madrid, both sidelined by serious injuries.

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