Chelsea forwards Joao Pedro and Estevao have been called up to the Brazil squad for their next friendlies in September and October, as coach Carlo Ancelotti starts to restructure the national team following a poor run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Joao Pedro was controversially omitted from World Cup squad by Ancelotti in order to fit in Neymar, but the Chelsea forward ought to be back in the international team. Estevao also comes back after an injury ruled him out of Brazil’s plans shortly before the tournament.
There are a number of players getting their first taste of Ancelotti’s coaching under the new Brazilian squad, most notably Pedro Morisco and Otavio as both are goalkeepers, Mauro Junior is a defender, and Gabriel Bontempo and Breno Bidon are midfielders.
The Italian coach has also brought back some of the known faces back to the team. The attack is bringing back Vinicius Junior and Raphinha and the middle of the park is getting the experience from Bruno Guimaraes, Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos.
There are however some notable omissions. Ever since Neymar announced his international retirement at 34, the veteran Casemiro and Alisson were also not selected for the team.
Ancelotti’s strategies to rebuild are the result of Brazil’s exit from the 2026 World Cup in the last 16 after a five-time World Cup title victory. The new look squad is an indication that the team is trying to change its image and keep some of the core players.
Brazil will kick off their next international tour against Australia in Townsville on September 25 before taking on the Australians again four days later in Brisbane. After that, the team will fly to India for a meeting with India in Kolkata on 3rd October.
