The biggest threat to Brazil at the 2026 World Cup may not be another team
Carlo Ancelotti has a selection headache to contend with as injuries to key players threaten to derail Brazil’s World Cup before it begins.
Brazil comes to a standstill when the World Cup begins. For Brazilian fans, nothing matters more than soccer’s biggest tournament, not just culturally but emotionally. Every young player dreams of representing the Seleção on the world stage at least once.
But not everyone gets that opportunity. And for some, injuries strike at the cruelest possible moment.
Among the world’s top contenders heading into the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Brazil has been hit harder than anyone by the loss of several unquestioned starters.
Three Brazil stars out of World Cup 2026
Real Madrid stars Rodrygo and Éder Militão, along with Chelsea prospect Estêvão, are all set to miss the tournament. All three had become key figures for Carlo Ancelotti, who now faces a major challenge assembling a competitive lineup before soccer’s biggest event.
The Italian manager has overseen 10 matches so far, posting five wins, two draws and three losses. During that stretch, Estêvão appeared in seven games and was rapidly emerging as one of the new faces of Brazil’s next generation.
Unfortunately for Brazil, a hamstring injury will keep the teenage sensation out of the squad.
Brazil’s losses dwarf those of other contenders
Other major nations are also dealing with important absences, but none on the same scale.
France will be without Hugo Ekitike, while Germany loses Serge Gnabry. Both are meaningful blows, yet neither compares to the impact of Brazil losing multiple core starters just weeks before the tournament.
Defending champion Argentina has also suffered setbacks. Joaquín Panichelli, who had been putting together an impressive season with Strasbourg in France, is out, as is Villarreal defender Juan Foyth. Injuries continue to haunt Foyth’s international career, and he is now set to miss another World Cup after also being sidelined for Qatar 2022.
Spain and the US also suffer setbacks
Spain has its own disappointment with the loss of Samu. The Porto striker had recently become a regular call-up under Luis de la Fuente and was viewed as one of the national team’s most promising long-term attacking options.
Now, he will not be part of La Roja’s World Cup roster.
The United States has also been dealt a significant blow in midfield. Johnny Cardoso suffered an injury during training several days ago, leaving Mauricio Pochettino without a midfielder with experience at the highest club level.
With under four weeks remaining before kickoff, more injuries could still reshape the competition. But for now, no nation has suffered more damaging losses than Brazil.
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