The Brazilian Football Federation has announced that it has dropped Manchester United winger Antony from the team that will be playing the opening South America qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 23-year-old Brazilian, who has been entangled in allegations of abuse by his former girlfriend, was initially included in the 23-man shortlist released by Brazil’s interim coach Fernando Diniz.

Brazil interim coach Fernando Diniz called up the players for games against Bolivia and Peru in September, but as he approaches the first set of games of his 12-month contract as interim coach, he will be forced to play without one of his key forwards.

Manchester United winger Antony is accused of attacking his former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin “with a headbutt” in a Manchester hotel room on 15 January, leaving her with injuries, some of which required corrective surgery.

While Diniz hasn’t made a public statement about the incident or the federation’s decision, Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has been called up as his replacement. Meanwhile, Brazil will be at home to Bolivia on 8 September in Brazil’s opening FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifier, while they will face Peru in Lima four days later in another qualification match.

Brazil’s football federation has stated that the decision to drop Antony from the squad became necessary after evidence and facts that must be investigated became public. Diniz has three goalkeepers, eight defenders, five midfielders, and seven attackers, including Neymar, who is a goal away from Brazil’s outright record score in history.

Brazil squad for opening FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers:

Goalkeepers

Alisson (Liverpool/ENG), Bento (Athletico Paranaense), Ederson (Manchester City/ENG)

Defenders

Danilo (Juventus/ITA), Vanderson (Monaco/FRA), Caio Henrique (Monaco/FRA), Renan Lodi (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal/ENG), Roger Ibanez (Al-Ahli/KSA), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Nino (Fluminense)

Midfielders

Andre (Fluminense), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United/ENG), Casemiro (Manchester United/ENG), Joelinton (Newcastle United/ENG), Raphael Veiga (Palmeiras)

Forwards

Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal/ENG), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal/ENG), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton Wanderers/ENG), Neymar (Al-Hilal/KSA), Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Rodrygo (Real Madrid/SPA), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid/BRA).

Daniel Ademiju Idowu