Ancelotti leaves Neymar, Vinícius, Rodrygo out of Brazil squad

 

Carlo Ancelotti has left Neymar, Vinícius Jr. and Rodrigo out of Brazil’s squad for the final 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia, opting instead to evaluate new options.

The Seleção, already assured of qualification, will host Chile at the Maracanã on September 4 before traveling to the high-altitude city of El Alto to face Bolivia five days later.

Brazil currently sit third in CONMEBOL qualifying with 25 points, level with Ecuador and just behind leaders Argentina on goal difference.

Explaining his decision, Ancelotti said he wanted to “look at players I don’t know as well on a personal level.”

Neymar was excluded due to a leg issue, while Vinícius is serving a one-match suspension for yellow-card accumulation.

Rodrygo, meanwhile, was left out because Ancelotti feels he already understands his game.

Among the 23-man squad, West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá makes a return after more than a year out, having previously been sidelined while under investigation for alleged links to a betting scandal.

Key inclusions also feature Gabriel Martinelli, Raphinha, Richarlison, and Chelsea’s 17-year-old talent Estêvão Willian and Joao Pedro, alongside regulars like Casemiro, Marquinhos, and Alisson.