Panini announced an update package for Copa’s Mundo 2026 album after making a mistake in Seleção Brasileira’s roster prediction. The decision came shortly after the official call made by Carlo Ancelotti on Monday, January 18, on Rio’s Janeiro. The publisher responsible for the stickers will replace athletes who did not make the final list with those actually chosen for the Mundial.
The album released by Panini featured 18 Brazilian players, but some of these names are not part of the definitive squad. The situation represents the largest number of inaccuracies in an edition since 1986, when five athletes were also left out of the selection.
Atletas out but present on the stickers
Éder Militão, Rodrygo and Estêvão were already known to be absent due to injury even before the official announcement. Porém, goalkeeper Bento and striker João Pedro will also not be in Copa, despite being printed among the Seleção stickers.
The publisher has not released the exact details of which players will be swapped in the update package or the release date for the patched material. Historicamente, it is rare that the list printed on an album completely coincides with the names chosen by the technical committee.
Impacto trading and history
Álbuns of Copa and Mundo stickers are the best-selling publication of the pre-tournament months. Maio is usually the peak of sales, with collectors and football fans purchasing sticker packs to complete their collections. Esta 2026 edition marks the most expensive Copa in history, also influencing the price of printed material.
Panini’s decision to offer an update responds to the frustration of collectors who purchased trading cards of undrafted athletes. The replacement package represents an attempt to minimize the business impacts of the forecast error.
- Jogadores out of call but on album: Éder Militão, Rodrygo, Estêvão, Bento, João Pedro
- Total of incorrect names: 18 draftees wrongly predicted
- Maior volume of errors: since Copa in 1986 (5 athletes)
- Summon Data: Monday, January 18, Rio from Janeiro
- Responsável technical: Carlo Ancelotti
Planejamento by Seleção Brasileira
The call for Copa of Mundo 2026 was closed just hours before the public announcement made by Ancelotti. Esta proximity between the finalization of the list and the press release made prior coordination with Panini difficult to make adjustments to the material already in circulation.
The Italian coach had received information about player availability until the last moment, leading to changes that could not be incorporated into the cards already printed. The situation highlights the logistical challenge of producing albums before the final confirmation of squads by federations.
The Copa of Mundo 2026 will be held at the América of Norte from June this year, with the participation of 48 teams. Seleção Brasileira continues to prepare, with coach Ancelotti consolidating the squad for the most important competition in world football.