Brazil right-back Wesley will miss the 2026 World Cup after sustaining a left adductor muscle strain during Saturday’s 2-1 friendly win over Egypt in Cleveland. An MRI scan conducted after the match confirmed the injury, forcing the AS Roma defender out of the tournament.
Wesley lasted just 15 minutes at Huntington Bank Field before leaving the pitch, with Carlo Ancelotti sending on Danilo as his replacement. The 22-year-old scored five goals and provided two assists in 39 games for Roma in 2025-26.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed the news in an official statement. “The CBF regrets the injury. Wesley is a player much loved by the squad and will always be considered part of this team as it seeks to win its sixth World Cup title,” the statement read.
Wesley’s withdrawal leaves Brazil without a specialist right-back in their 26-man squad, creating a selection challenge for Ancelotti.
To fill the vacancy, Ancelotti called up Atalanta midfielder Ederson, 26. The Brazilian has made 180 appearances across four years at Atalanta and holds three senior international caps. He is set to join Brazil’s training camp in New York and New Jersey on Monday.
Ederson operates primarily as a central midfielder and is set to join Manchester United in a deal worth an initial £34m with up to £3.8m in add-ons, though ESPN reported the initial fee at £35m. The World Cup call-up hands him a chance to showcase himself on the biggest stage before completing the move to Old Trafford.
His selection suggests Ancelotti intends to field a Brazil side that draws more on midfield density rather than relying on attacking width from the full-back positions.
Brazil open their Group C campaign against Morocco on 14 June at 5:00 AM Bangladesh time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. They face Haiti and Scotland in their remaining group fixtures.
