World Cup 2026: Wesley ruled out for Brazil, Ederson called up as replacement

World Cup 2026 Today at 12:47

Nouya M'toama

News Editor

Brazil has suffered a major blow just days before the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup. The Brazilian Football Confederation officially announced on Sunday that AS Roma right-back Wesley França has been ruled out after sustaining an injury during the friendly match against Egypt.

According to the statement released by the federation, medical tests conducted after the match revealed a muscle injury to the adductor in his left thigh. This injury forces the Brazilian defender to withdraw from the entire World Cup campaign.

An injury sustained against Egypt

Wesley picked up the injury during the warm-up match between the Seleção and the Pharaohs. Quickly attended to by the medical staff, the player underwent an MRI scan, which confirmed the severity of the injury.

"The MRI revealed a muscle injury to the adductor muscle of the left thigh," the Brazilian federation stated in its official release.

This absence is a significant loss for the Brazilian squad as the team prepares to launch its World Cup campaign with high ambitions.

Ederson called up to replace him

To fill the gap, Brazil's head coach has decided to call up Ederson dos Santos Lourenço da Silva. The Atalanta BC midfielder now joins the squad set to compete in the 2026 World Cup. This call-up rewards his excellent club form and gives him the chance to represent the Seleção on football's grandest stage.

Wesley's withdrawal comes at a challenging moment for Brazil, forcing the Seleção to reassess its defensive options ahead of the upcoming World Cup fixtures. The team loses a key figure on the right flank just days before their tournament opener.