Brazil national team has suffered a major setback ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, as right-back Wesley França has been officially ruled out of the tournament due to a muscle injury sustained during Sunday morning’s friendly match against Egypt.
The Roma star was forced off the pitch just 15 minutes into the friendly. Subsequent MRI scans confirmed that the player will not be able to recover in time for the World Cup. Wesley has been diagnosed with a torn adductor muscle in his left thigh, an injury that typically requires around a month of rehabilitation before returning to action.
Ederson Called Up as Replacement
In response to the emergency, Brazil’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti has called up Éderson, the Atalanta midfielder who recently completed a high-profile transfer to Manchester United, to replace Wesley in the Seleção’s World Cup squad.
The Tactical Dilemma: Wesley’s absence leaves Ancelotti with a significant tactical headache. Brazil is now left without a natural, specialized right-back in their World Cup roster. The Italian manager will have to rely on makeshift solutions, such as deploying Danilo or Roger Ibañez in that role.
Brazil’s World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule
The Seleção will look to overcome this hurdle as they kick off their World Cup campaign. Here is Brazil’s group stage schedule:
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Brazil vs. Morocco: Sunday, June 14
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Brazil vs. Haiti: June 20
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Brazil vs. Scotland: June 25
