Éderson Earns Late Brazil World Cup Call-Up After Wesley Injury, Days After Completing £39m Manchester United Move

Éderson’s summer has taken another dramatic turn. Days after completing a £39 million move from Atalanta to Manchester United on a four-year deal with an optional 12-month extension, the Brazilian midfielder has been recalled to the Seleção’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad following an injury to Roma fullback Wesley.

Wesley’s tournament came to a premature end during Brazil’s pre-World Cup friendly against Egypt, when the defender was forced off the pitch in tears just 17 minutes into the match after sustaining a severe adductor injury. He was replaced by Danilo and was later pictured on the bench visibly distressed, with a towel over his head as teammates gathered to console him. Brazil went on to win the fixture 2-1, with goals from Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães and forward Endrick.

Rather than bringing in a direct defensive replacement for Wesley, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti elected to use the vacancy to strengthen his midfield options, handing the recall to the attack-oriented Éderson. The decision reflects a tactical judgement rather than a like-for-like positional swap.

Éderson had initially been part of Ancelotti’s preliminary training group ahead of the tournament but was cut when the final 26-man squad was confirmed. His reinstatement comes on the back of a productive 2025-26 domestic season with Atalanta, during which he recorded three goals and two assists across 41 appearances in all competitions.

The midfielder made his senior international debut in 2024 and had accumulated just three caps prior to this recall, meaning the World Cup will represent a significant step up in his international career. He is set to travel and join up with the rest of the Brazil squad ahead of their opening group-stage fixture.

Brazil are scheduled to begin their 2026 World Cup campaign on June 14 against Morocco, before facing Haiti and Scotland in their remaining group matches. The five-time world champions will be among the tournament favourites under Ancelotti, who took charge of the national side after a long career in club management that included spells at Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Bayern Munich.

For Manchester United, Éderson’s involvement in the World Cup means their marquee summer signing will be engaged in tournament football shortly after concluding his move to Old Trafford. The club had previously signed him from Atalanta, where he had spent time on loan from Salernitana before making the arrangement permanent. His £39 million fee represents a notable outlay for a central midfielder as United look to reshape their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.