Chelsea forward Estêvão will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Brazil after failing to recover from a muscle injury in his right thigh. The 19-year-old was not included in the 55-man preliminary list that head coach Carlo Ancelotti submitted to FIFA, as his physical condition could not be restored in time for the tournament.
The absence was first reported by ge.globo.
The injury occurred on April 18 during Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League. In the 12th minute, Estêvão exploited a defensive error, sprinted into the box, but planted his foot awkwardly on the pitch. He fell in pain and was immediately substituted.
In a bid to keep his World Cup dream alive, Estêvão opted for conservative treatment in Brazil instead of surgery, even though Chelsea disagreed with the approach. However, his progress was insufficient to meet the required fitness standards within the deadline.
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Estêvão’s absence is a significant blow to Carlo Ancelotti’s plans. The young attacker was a key figure in the current cycle, leading Brazil in scoring under the Italian coach with five goals. In 36 club appearances for Chelsea this season, he netted eight times and provided three assists.
The submission of the 55-name preliminary list is a FIFA regulation requirement. From this expanded group, only 26 players will be selected for the final squad. The coaching staff can make changes to the preliminary list until June 11, the tournament’s opening day. After the World Cup begins, substitutions are only permitted up to 24 hours before each team’s first match, with a medical certificate confirming the injury.
Brazil’s final squad will be announced on Monday, May 18, at 5 PM (Brasília time) during an event at the Museu do Amanhã in Rio de Janeiro.
The selected players will begin training on May 27 at Granja Comary in Teresópolis, except for those from Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain who will contest the Champions League final. Before their World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13, Brazil will play friendlies against Panama at the Maracanã (May 31) and Egypt in Cleveland (June 6).
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