Chelsea players are learning their fate this week regarding their participation in the 2026 World Cup, with a number of key names already missing out.
Romeo Lavia was left out of the Belgium squad, while loanee Mike Penders was called up for the trip to North America.
Despite Brazil having three Chelsea players featuring regularly, none of them have been called up for various different reasons.
DISCUSS: Carlo Ancelotti was wrong to leave Andrey Santos out of his Brazil World Cup squad 🏆
He was inch-perfect aganist Spurs.
Joao Pedro ‘very upset’ after World Cup omission
Estevao Willian missed out due to injury, however Andrey Santos and Joao Pedro were both left out by Carlo Ancelotti in favour of other options.
Pedro missing out was a real surprise, given he has enjoyed a stellar season at Stamford Bridge in front of goal since his £60m move from Brighton.
Bruno Andrade told ESPN Brazil that he had spoken to people close to the forward, stating that he was left disappointed after not being warned ahead of time that he would not be going to the World Cup.
Chelsea v Manchester City - Emirates FA Cup Final
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He said: “Early this morning I went to speak with people close to João Pedro to try to understand the reaction, naturally, to him not being called up to the Brazil national team. And the first response was that he was very upset, very disappointed about not being selected, because he expected to be.
“From João Pedro’s point of view, even with the possibility of Neymar being in the squad, he believed they could coexist in the list. That was his expectation and his hope: João Pedro and Neymar both being included.
“He wasn’t included, so naturally he was upset, disappointed and frustrated. I think all the players who had that expectation felt that way, but João Pedro even more so, because until recently his call-up to the national team was considered almost guaranteed.
“The information I have is that since the squad announcement — unless something happened during this live broadcast — as of this morning in Europe, and also morning in England, nobody from the Brazil setup had contacted João Pedro to explain things or to say: ‘Look, you’re not going,’ or ‘You weren’t selected, but keep thinking ahead,’ or anything like that.
“João Pedro did not receive a conversation or a phone call from Ancelotti, Rodrigo Caetano, Juan, or any other member of the Brazil national team staff.
“So, in summary: he was upset, he expected to be in the squad alongside Neymar, and he wasn’t contacted to receive any explanation as to why he wasn’t selected for the World Cup.”
Ancelotti had no real answer when pressed on the Pedro incident, however many have speculated he gave in to supporter demands to see Neymar at the World Cup.
What do you make of Carlo Ancelotti leaving Joao Pedro out of his World Cup squad?🤔
Andrey Santos as well!
Chelsea duo Andrey Santos and Joao Pedro snubbed from Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad
Via – @FabrizioRomano
Joao Pedro has put himself in the shop window
Pedro’s brilliant campaign for Chelsea has seen him attract the attention of Barcelona ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, Andrade has hinted that there could be more clubs interested in signing him this summer.
He said: “But anyway, life goes on. João Pedro knows he has to keep pushing forward. Barcelona are there, and this is information we already brought a few weeks ago — Barcelona are strong candidates to try to sign João Pedro. But Chelsea will not sell for less than €100 million.
“He won’t be at the World Cup, but he will definitely have — and already is having — a very attractive market during the European summer transfer window.”
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