Joao Pedro's Brazil World Cup absence is a shock. But it will be to Chelsea's benefit

Who would have thought Carlo Ancelotti could be the bearer of such bad news for a top Chelsea striker?The former Chelsea manager provided quite the surprise on Monday evening by leaving Joao Pedro out of the Brazil squad for this summer’s World Cup.Few saw this coming. Not least Joao Pedro’s extended family, who filmed themselves gathered around to watch Brazil’s squad announcement… only to be disappointed when his name was not read out. João Pedro’s family gathered together to watch Carlo Ancelotti announce Brazil’s World Cup squad. They recorded their reaction, hoping for the moment his name would finally be called… but it never came. 🇧🇷💔pic.twitter.com/TiQFUFrGuR — Viralitity (@Viralitity) May 19, 2026As The Athletic revealed last week, representing Brazil has been the forward’s dream since he was a teenager. After scoring an impressive 20 goals in all competitions for a struggling Chelsea side — which has recently seen him named the Chelsea supporters’ men’s player of the season — and having featured in the last Brazil squad, it looked like he would surely make the cut.Advertisement