Right-back Wesley was cut from the Seleção Brasileira and will not compete in the Copa of the 2026 Mundo after suffering a muscle injury. The diagnosis was confirmed this Sunday morning after detailed imaging tests. Para filled the open spot on the squad, coach Carlo Ancelotti announced the call-up of midfielder Éderson, who plays for Atalanta.
The change in the squad list takes place just a few days before the start of the world tournament. The cut was made official by Confederação Brasileira of Futebol (CBF) shortly after the release of the medical results. The technical committee acted quickly to guarantee the arrival of the new athlete to the group that finishes its preparation in North American territory.
Lesão muscle strips tournament side in Estados Unidos
Wesley’s physical problem occurred during the friendly against Egito, played in the city of Cleveland. The defender felt severe pain in his left leg and had to be replaced at the beginning of the match. Seleção Brasileira’s doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar, performed the first treatments on the stadium’s lawn.
Confirmation of the seriousness of the case came with the MRI exam. The procedure revealed an injury to the adductor muscle of the Roma athlete’s left thigh. Pelo estimated recovery time for this type of injury, participation in the tournament has become unfeasible. The delegation members expressed support for the defender on the bench immediately after the substitution.
Éderson receives new opportunity with Carlo Ancelotti
Midfielder Éderson returns to the plans of the Seleção Brasileira technical committee to make up for the absence of a defender. The 26-year-old midfielder had already been remembered by Carlo Ancelotti in his first official list in charge of the team, released in June 2025. Naquela On that occasion, however, the Italian club’s player did not receive minutes on the field.
Choosing a midfielder to replace a right-back changes the original configuration of athletes available for the competition. The technical committee evaluated the options and chose to strengthen the central sector of the pitch. The athlete must report directly to North American soil to begin integrated activities with the rest of the squad.
The professional career of the new squad member includes important spells in football for Brasil and Europa:
- Início professional and training divided between Cruzeiro and Corinthians
- Destaque on the national stage performing with the Fortaleza shirt
- Transferência for European football to defend Salernitana in 2022
- Consolidação in Italian football with the Atalanta shirt
- Current Período negotiations for a transfer towards Manchester United
Detalhes of the friendly substitution in Cleveland
The move that caused the player to be cut happened exactly 16 minutes into the first half of Saturday’s match. The full-back felt the muscle when trying to make a move and immediately signaled it to the coaching staff on the bench. Veteran Danilo entered the pitch to occupy the defensive sector on the team’s right side.
The athlete’s crying on the bench highlighted the seriousness of the situation even before detailed examinations were carried out. The group of players who were on reserve tried to comfort their teammate during the rest of the game. The Brazilian delegation followed the clinical evaluation schedule in the early hours of Sunday.
The technical committee is now working on the tactical reorganization of the team to make up for the loss of a defensive piece. Danilo emerges as the immediate replacement in the position for the official debut in the competition. Next week’s training will serve to acclimatize the new squad and define the tactical structure of the starting team.