Vanderson of Monaco has been called up by Carlo Ancelotti to replace Roma's Wesley in the Brazil national team. The CBF announced the change on September 19, 2026 and stated only that Wesley is injured. The replacement applies to the extended FIFA window in which Brazil face Australia twice, on September 25 and 29, and India on October 3.
What changed in the squad
The original squad, announced on September 9, included Wesley among the defenders. After his withdrawal, Vanderson takes his place directly. It is the second change to the group since the call-up: Martinelli of Fluminense had previously been selected to replace Chelsea's João Pedro, who was also injured.
In an update published on September 20, the CBF said the squad had begun assembling in Brisbane and confirmed both replacements. Because each change was a direct replacement, the group remains at 26 players for the three friendlies.
How Brazil's full-back options now look
In practical terms, Vanderson restores a natural option on the right. The CBF lists these players among the defenders, while their usual club roles help distinguish the full-back alternatives:
| Player | Club | Usual role | Squad status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderson | Monaco | Right-back | Called up to replace Wesley |
| Matheuzinho | Corinthians | Right-back | Named in the original squad |
| Douglas Santos | Zenit | Left-back | Named in the original squad |
| Mauro Júnior | PSV | Full-back on either side | Named in the original squad |
Matheuzinho and Mauro Júnior were among the debutants highlighted by the CBF in the first post-World Cup squad. Vanderson, by contrast, has already been included in previous Brazil squads. Monaco describes him as a defender who established himself at right-back, while PSV says Mauro Júnior has mainly operated at both left-back and right-back in recent seasons.
The CBF has not announced a pecking order for the position or confirmed starters for the friendlies. The update therefore shows which options are available, but not who will start.
Which matches are affected by the change
| Date | Match | Venue | Brasília time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25/09/2026 | Australia vs Brazil | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville | 7:00 a.m. |
| 29/09/2026 | Australia vs Brazil | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 7:00 a.m. |
| 03/10/2026 | India vs Brazil | Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata | 11:00 a.m. |
Vanderson was called up for the friendlies against Australia and India, so he joins the squad for the entire international window unless there is another medical or sporting update. The India match will be the first senior international between the two countries.
What was officially said about Wesley's withdrawal
For the current withdrawal, the CBF statement is concise: Wesley is injured and Vanderson was called up to replace him. The release does not identify the affected muscle, the grade of the injury, a recovery timeline, or whether the problem occurred in a match or training.
That distinction matters because Wesley had a separate injury episode in June 2026, before the World Cup. At that time, the CBF specifically reported a muscle injury to the adductor of his left thigh and replaced him with Éderson. That diagnosis refers to the June withdrawal and should not automatically be applied to the September case without confirmation from the CBF or Roma.
What to watch in the friendlies
With Vanderson and Matheuzinho as natural right-sided alternatives, Ancelotti keeps two options for the role despite Wesley's absence. On the left, Douglas Santos arrives as a player recently used by Brazil, while Mauro Júnior adds versatility because he can play on either flank.
The three matches also begin Brazil's post-2026 World Cup cycle, which the coaching staff has presented as a period of renewal and player evaluation. The number of games creates room to test different combinations, but any conclusion about the full-back hierarchy will depend on Ancelotti's actual lineups and the minutes he gives each player.
