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Neymar is headed to the 2026 World Cup as part of Brazil's roster.

The Brazilian National Team will surprisingly attempt to win another World Cup without one of the rising stars in the Premier League. Brazil is leaving a Chelsea striker at home as the team heads to the United States for the World Cup.

João Pedro has been left off of Brazil’s World Cup roster. It is a surprising move given Pedro has been one of Chelsea’s top performers this season posting 15 goals and five assists.

Pedro was a major reason why Chelsea won the Club World Cup last summer. Chelsea landed Pedro as part of an $82 million transfer agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion in July 2025, per ESPN.

Here’s what you need to know about Brazil’s surprising decision not to bring Pedro to the World Cup.

Brazil Opted for Neymar Over Chelsea’s João Pedro on World Cup Roster

There was some uncertainty over Neymar’s status for the World Cup. Yet, Brazil opted to have Neymar on the World Cup roster over Pedro among others.

Neymar may be the bigger name, but Pedro is arguably in better form heading into the World Cup.

“I am sad for players who have been left out, like João Pedro,” Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti noted after the roster announcement, per insider Fabrizio Romano. “They will have chances in the future.”

So, why Neymar over younger players like Pedro?

“Neymar will be an important player for us at the World Cup,” Ancelotti explained, per Romano. “We spent the entire year analyzing Neymar.

“We realized that in this last period he had continuity and was in good physical condition.”