Seven players who deserve a Seleção 🇧🇷 call-up before the Copa, your say | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti will have only the upcoming March FIFA Date to finalize the list of players called up for the Brazilian National Team for the 2026 World Cup. 

There will be friendlies against France (3/26) and Croatia (3/31). Both in the USA.

In other words: those who do not have their presence secured in the World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada need to hurry to convince the coach.

See below some players who could be tested before Carleto announces who will represent Brazil in the next World Cup.

The list includes athletes who had a chance and one who has even played in a World Cup. In addition to those seeking their first opportunity.

Do you agree with all the options? Share your opinion in the comments. 

Igor Thiago

📸 Mike Hewitt - 2025 Getty Images

A product of Cruzeiro, he joined Brentford for the 2024/2025 season costing 33 million euros after standing out for Brugge and Ludogorets.

But he suffered a meniscus injury in his left knee during a friendly on July 20 last year. 

He only became match-fit in November.

The current season came, and everything changed. He gained a spot among the starters and has scored 12 goals. Eleven of them in the Premier League. Only Haaland (19) has more. 

He is a typical number 9, with a strong presence in the area. And he is only 24 years old.

Antony

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He finished 2024/2025 on loan from United to Betis and stood out.

The Andalusian club fought but reached an agreement to secure the 25-year-old winger, committing to pay 22 million euros.

And the "Goat" has delivered after such a financial effort.

He has eight goals and five assists in 18 games this season.

Estêvão has been consolidating himself on the right wing of the National Team's attack, but Antony is standing out with an eye on a new World Cup.

He boasts 16 matches with the National Team.

Rayan

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He was Vasco's main protagonist in the second half of the season.

He finished 2025 elected as the revelation of the Brazilian Championship and was decisive for Cruz-Maltino reaching the final of the Copa do Brasil.

The still young 19-year-old scored 20 goals over 57 games.

He is a target for Zenit, which has already had two proposals rejected by Vasco.

He can play deeper, as a false 9, or on the right - which is his preference. 

Léo Pereira

📸 LUIS ROBAYO - AFP or licensors

He was Flamengo's main defender in a season full of titles.

But he is still seeking an opportunity in the Brazilian National Team - he has even revealed that it bothers him not to have been remembered until today. 

He saw, for example, Fabrício Bruno (now at Cruzeiro), Léo Ortiz, and Danilo being called up by Ancelotti. 

This sector has only Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães already "certain" for the World Cup. 

Matheus Pereira

📸 Pedro Vilela - 2025 Getty Images

The sky-blue number 10 had another standout season.

He shared the responsibility with Kaio Jorge to lead Raposa in a positive year that ended with a spot in the group stage of the Libertadores-2025.

Matheus Pereira has already had an opportunity with the National Team, but still with Dorival Júnior.

He spent about 17 minutes on the field against Peru in November last year.

He is an option to form an offensive quartet, playing the role of a number 10.

Arthur

📸 Pedro H. Tesch - 2025 Getty Images

On loan from Juventus, the 29-year-old midfielder made all the difference for Grêmio to bounce back in the final stretch of the Brasileirão.

There were 13 games and standout performances, dictating and controlling the pace of the Tricolor's game.

He would be, for example, an alternative for the role currently played by Bruno Guimarães, a certain name for the World Cup.

He has 22 games with the National Team jersey. 

Kaiki Bruno

📸 Alexandre Schneider - 2024 Getty Images

At 22 years old, the left-back of Raposa had a breakthrough season.

He was even targeted by Benfica, but Cruzeiro was not interested in negotiating.

He was, for example, the second player with the most tackles in the Brasileirão: 98.

He would be an option for a sector that would have only Alex Sandro "certain" for the World Cup. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

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