Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães has been included in Brazil’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, while his club teammates Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus have both been left out.
The Brazilian national team, led by coach Dorival Junior who took over in January, will face Ecuador and Paraguay in crucial matches as they look to revive their World Cup qualification campaign after a poor start.
Gabriel, a key part of Mikel Arteta’s defensive setup, earns another call-up as Brazil try to solidify their backline in a qualification run that has seen them win just two of their first six matches.
Martinelli’s exclusion has raised eyebrows, especially given his involvement in Brazil’s Copa America squad earlier this summer.
The winger’s omission highlights the fierce competition for attacking spots under Dorival, who has opted for more in-form players.
Arsenal’s Brazilian striker #09 Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring his team first goal during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on January 30, 2024. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus, who hasn’t featured for Brazil since November, has also been left out.
The striker’s exclusion is less surprising, given that he missed Arsenal’s recent 2-0 victory over Aston Villa due to a groin injury.
Arsenal have indicated that they are unsure whether Jesus will be sidelined for just a few days or several weeks, pending the results of a scan.
With his fitness in doubt, Brazil have chosen not to take a risk on his availability although it’s not clear if he would have been called up if fully fit.
In other squad news, 17-year-old Estevão Willian has been handed his first call-up to the senior Brazil squad.
The Palmeiras starlet, who is set to join Chelsea next year, has been dubbed by some as Brazil’s next major talent. Estevão’s impressive start to the season, with five goals and five assists in 19 league appearances, has earned him a spot in the squad, and he could make his debut on September 6 against Ecuador.
Dorival Junior’s squad reflects a shift in approach as he tries to rebuild following Brazil’s disappointing Copa America campaign, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Uruguay.
Notably, eight players from that tournament are missing from the current lineup, including Martinelli who played just 10 minutes at the competition during the summer. Real Madrid’s influence is evident, with four players from the Spanish giants included in the squad.
Arsenal fans might be disappointed by Martinelli’s and Jesus’s omissions, but the inclusion of Gabriel is a recognition of his growing importance on both the club and international stage.
As Brazil look to climb from their sixth-place position in the South American qualifiers, Gabriel will be hoping to help stabilise a defence that has struggled in recent matches.
For Martinelli and Jesus, the international break will offer time to recover and refocus ahead of Arsenal’s busy season.
