Brazil recalls João Pedro to national squad for upcoming matches

João Pedro is back in Brazil’s plans. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti named the 24-year-old Chelsea striker in his 26-man squad on September 9 for a trio of friendlies: two against Australia and one against India.

The call-up is Ancelotti’s first squad announcement since Brazil’s Round of 16 exit at the 2026 World Cup, and it signals a clear shift in direction. Only 9 players from the World Cup roster were recalled for these matches.

The World Cup snub and what came after

João Pedro’s exclusion from Brazil’s May 2026 World Cup squad was, to put it mildly, a head-scratcher. The striker had just wrapped up his debut season at Chelsea with 20 goals and 9 assists across 50 appearances.

Ancelotti attributed the omission to “squad balance.” Brazil bowed out in the Round of 16.

João Pedro has opened the 2026/27 Premier League season with 2 goals and 2 assists in just his first two matches, including a key role in Chelsea’s 4-3 thriller against Brighton, his former club.

Ancelotti was reportedly in attendance for that Brighton match, watching from the stands as João Pedro helped dismantle his old team.

A career built on patience

João Pedro’s journey to this point has been anything but linear. The Ribeirão Preto native made his senior debut for Brazil in November 2023, and he’s accumulated 8 caps since then, without a goal in those appearances.

After establishing himself at Brighton, he earned a move to Chelsea in July 2025, posting 20 goals and 9 assists in his debut season.

Still, 8 caps without a goal is a stat that needs to change if João Pedro wants to cement a long-term place in the squad. These September friendlies against Australia and India offer an ideal environment to break that duck.

Ancelotti’s post-World Cup reset

Retaining only 9 World Cup players suggests this isn’t a tune-up. Ancelotti is clearly using this expanded FIFA window to experiment with newer call-ups, blending proven Premier League production with players who have something to prove at international level.

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