Richarlison will not go to the 2026 World Cup with Brazil after Carlo Ancelotti left the Tottenham forward out of his first Selecao squad. The decision ends a route many Spurs fans expected to stay open because Richarlison and Ancelotti once enjoyed a strong working relationship at Everton.
The omission is tied to more than one factor. Endrick's breakout performances for Lyon were cited as part of the reason, and Brazil's desire to see whether Neymar can deliver a “One Last Dance” this summer also shaped the call. Richarlison's wasteful display against Leeds United probably sealed it for Ancelotti, who is now trying to set a new tone with the national team.
There is a football logic to the move, even if it lands hard in north London. Richarlison has been described as Tottenham's leading scorer, but the broader view is that he has not played well enough over the past couple of seasons to demand a place at the top table for Brazil. That makes the omission surprising to some Spurs supporters, but not especially difficult to explain.
The timing matters for Tottenham too. The club still needed one point from its final two Premier League games to secure survival over West Ham United, and those last matches were Chelsea and Everton. Richarlison was one of the players they needed to keep sharp and motivated for the run-in, especially with Dominic Solanke injured and unavailable for Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge.
That leaves Tottenham leaning more heavily on young attacking options such as Mathys Tel while the season reaches its most dangerous stage. It also adds another layer to a player who has become a familiar subject of frustration, with Gabby Agbonlahor among those who tore into Richarlison after Tottenham's stumble against Leeds United, a criticism that now looks more relevant in light of Brazil's decision.
For Richarlison, the message is blunt. A close bond with Ancelotti and a strong spell in the past were not enough to carry him into a World Cup squad built around current form, fresh competition and the possibility of Neymar returning for one last run. For Tottenham, the challenge is simpler and more immediate: get the points, and get enough from their leading scorer to finish the job.
