Estevao to miss World Cup through injury after Brazil preliminary squad omission

Estevao has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since April Alex Pantling/Getty Images Share articleBrazil forward Estevao is set to miss the 2026 World Cup due to a hamstring injury. Sources briefed on the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, indicated the 19-year-old had not been included in Brazil’s preliminary squad for this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico because of the injury sustained in April. Brazil’s 55-man preliminary squad — a long list of players named before the final 26-man World Cup squad is selected — was sent to FIFA on May 11. The Athletic reported in April that Estevao’s World Cup participation was in serious doubt after he suffered a grade four hamstring injury during his side’s Premier League defeat to Manchester United. He limped off in the 16th minute at Stamford Bridge and then Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior confirmed after the game that he was in tears in the dressing room. Estevao was in Brazil earlier this month for 11 days to use the facilities at his former club Palmeiras as he began his rehabilitation, and he has since returned to Chelsea to for the club to assess his recovery. Chelsea signed the winger from Palmeiras in May 2024, and he joined the club last summer. He scored eight goals and provided four assists in 36 appearances during his debut season in England. He also established himself as a regular member of Brazil’s squad under Carlo Ancelotti. Estevao has made 11 senior international appearances and has scored four goals in his last four outings for the national side. Brazil are already without Real Madrid forward Rodrygo for the 2026 World Cup due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, while team-mate Eder Militao is also absent through injury. There is debate over whether the country’s all-time top scorer Neymar could return to the squad for this summer’s tournament. Neymar “was and is” part of his thinking, Ancelotti told The Athletic this month, but a decision will be taken “at the end of the evaluation”. Brazil have been drawn alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in their World Cup group. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms