Manchester United-linked Ederson earned a nomination for the World Cup in Brazil following Wesley’s injury

Brazil have called up Atalanta midfielder Ederson in their World Cup squad after right-back Wesley was ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury, giving the Manchester United-linked midfielder a late opportunity to perform on football’s biggest stage.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed on Sunday that Wesley will miss the World Cup after sustaining an injury during Brazil’s 2-1 friendly win over Egypt in Cleveland on Saturday.

An MRI scan revealed adductor damage in the 22-year-old defender’s left thigh, prompting Carlo Ancelotti to reshuffle his squad just days before the start of the World Cup campaign in the United States.

“A magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed an adductor muscle injury in the left thigh,” CBF said in a statement.

“CBF regrets the injury. Wesley is a player who is much loved by the team and will always be considered a part of this team as they seek to win their sixth World Cup title.”

Ederson, who has three caps for Brazil, will join the team in the United States on Monday. The 26-year-old’s call-up comes amid reports that Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign the Atalanta midfielder for a fixed fee of €40.5m plus a further €4.5m.

While Wesley’s withdrawal leaves Brazil short of specialist options at right-back, Ederson’s inclusion bolsters a midfielder who appeared light in Ancelotti’s original 26-man squad. Before the change, Brazil only had five natural midfielders — Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Danilo, Fabinho and Lucas Paqueta — alongside nine defenders and nine forwards.

The injury also presents a tactical challenge for Ancelotti. Wesley was the only right-back specialist in the squad, with Flamengo’s Danilo and Al Ahli defender Roger Ibanez the main alternatives on the wing.

However, Ederson’s arrival gives Brazil more flexibility in midfield. Although Ancelotti’s preferred system remains a 4-2-4 formation, there is growing support in Brazil for a three-man midfield against stronger opponents, a set-up the Atalanta midfielder is well-equipped to fit into.

Five-time world champions Brazil open their campaign in Group C against Morocco on June 13 before facing Haiti on June 20 and Scotland on June 24 as they chase a record sixth World Cup title.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

07 Jun 2026 22:35 IST