🇧🇷 Brazilians chase more minutes, eyeing a spot at the 2026 World Cup

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OneFootball

·8 January 2026

🇧🇷 Brazilians chase more minutes, eyeing a spot at the 2026 World Cup

Six months before the kickoff of the World Cup, which will take place between June and July in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, the January transfer window—usually lukewarm in Europe—is heating up for Brazilians.

The reason is clear: those not yet guaranteed a spot on Carlo Ancelotti’s list are seeking more minutes on the pitch to prove themselves and secure a place on the Brazilian National Team coach’s roster.

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Even those not looking to change clubs are also seeking more playing time to see if they can earn a spot with Carleto.

🔄 Who’s changing clubs?

Endrick (Real Madrid ➡️ Lyon): With little playing time under Xabi Alonso (just 3 games this season), the 19-year-old was loaned to the French club. After an honest conversation with Ancelotti, Endrick understood he needs to play regularly to have a chance at his first World Cup.
Thiago Silva (Fluminense ➡️ Porto): The 41-year-old veteran surprised everyone by leaving the Tricolor. The main reason is family (his sons play in Chelsea’s youth academy, and Portugal is closer to London), but he still believes that, by playing at a high level in Europe, he can earn a spot for his 5th World Cup.
Gerson (Zenit ➡️ Brazil?): After disappearing from the National Team’s radar while playing in Russia (banned from European competitions), the “Joker” is negotiating his return to Brazil. Cruzeiro is the likely destination to try to put him back in Ancelotti’s spotlight.

🔥 Other moves

Bento (Al-Nassr): The goalkeeper is being targeted by Grêmio and European clubs (West Ham and Genoa). He knows he needs to be in a more competitive league to secure his spot among the three goalkeepers.

Beraldo (PSG): With little playing time in France, the defender is on Fenerbahçe’s radar in Turkey, but Palmeiras is also monitoring his situation.

👑 The Neymar case

Unlike the others, Neymar opted for stability. He renewed with Santos until the end of 2026, betting that physical recovery and starring in Brazil (with the start of the Brasileirão brought forward to January) are the best path to arrive at the World Cup in good shape.

With only one FIFA date left (friendlies against France and Croatia in March) before the final list, the star has no more room for injuries.

👀 'Ignored' sensation

At 24, Igor Thiago, Brentford’s center-forward, is the second top scorer in the Premier League with 16 goals, behind only Erling Haaland, who has 20.

With this tally, the Cruzeiro youth product has already made history in England by becoming the Brazilian with the most goals in a single Premier League season, surpassing players like Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino, and Richarlison.

The chance with the National Team, however, has not yet come, although many fans are calling for his call-up.

🙏 Jesus is back

Arsenal thrashed Aston Villa 4-1 in the last round of the Premier League, a result that kept the team at the top of the table.

One of the goals was scored by former Palmeiras player Gabriel Jesus, who hadn’t found the net in almost a year.

It was 362 days of drought until he finally ran to celebrate.

Context

The strategy of changing clubs on the eve of the World Cup is risky, but common. In 2022, six potential call-ups (including Casemiro and Gabriel Jesus) switched teams in the World Cup year.

In 2018, Philippe Coutinho was the only one to make such a move during the European winter window.

Which of these players do you think is making the best decision to secure their spot at the World Cup?

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