Brazil have called up two Arsenal players for March friendlies against France and Croatia, but Gabriel Jesus has not been included in Carlo Ancelotti’s final squad before the World Cup.
Arsenal will have two representatives in Brazil’s March squad after Gabriel Magalhães and Gabriel Martinelli were both selected by Carlo Ancelotti for friendlies against France and Croatia. The call-up is significant because these are Brazil’s final matches before the manager settles on his thinking for the World Cup, but there was no place in the 26-man group for Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal pair remain in Brazil picture
The official squad list published by the Brazilian Football Confederation includes Gabriel Magalhães among the defenders and Martinelli among the forwards for matches against France in Boston on 26 March and Croatia in Orlando on 31 March. Brazil described the games as the team’s last commitments before the final World Cup list is named, which gives this camp extra weight for every player involved.
For Arsenal, the call-ups are another reminder of the level both players have reached. Gabriel has become one of Arteta’s most reliable defenders, while Martinelli remains part of the attacking group despite heavy competition for places in Brazil’s forward line. Selection here does not guarantee anything for the summer, but it keeps both players firmly in the frame at an important stage of the international calendar.
What the squad means before the World Cup
There is a broader context to this squad beyond routine international recognition. The CBF made clear on Monday that these friendlies are Brazil’s final fixtures before the World Cup list is finalised, which means every inclusion and omission will be examined closely. That is part of what makes the Arsenal angle notable. Two players have been trusted at a key moment, while another has been left outside the group.
Martinelli’s inclusion suggests he remains in Ancelotti’s attacking plans, while Gabriel’s place reflects his standing in a defensive pool that still has strong competition. Brazil’s squad also contains several new names, but Arsenal’s pair are not being treated as outsiders or late gambles. They are part of the core group still under serious consideration before the final decisions are made.
Gabriel Jesus misses out again
Jesus, though, is the notable Arsenal omission. His name does not appear on Brazil’s official squad list, despite his return to action for Arsenal in December after a long recovery from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in January 2025. In January that the striker marked one of his first starts back by scoring twice in Arsenal’s Champions League win over Inter Milan, a performance that underlined his push to rebuild momentum after nearly a year out.
That makes this omission relevant rather than incidental. Jesus had been working his way back into rhythm and, given his pedigree at international level, there was at least a case for him to re-enter the conversation before the World Cup. Instead, Ancelotti has looked elsewhere in the attacking positions, as Brentford Forward, Igor Thiago, recieves his first International call up for Brazil.