Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil Suffer Major Blow 7 Weeks Before 2026 World Cup
The Brazil national football team is facing a significant setback less than two months before the 2026 World Cup starts in mid-June.
The concerns stem from uncertainty surrounding an injury and recovery timeline for one of the nation's key defenders.
Brazil was already monitoring the fitness of Real Madrid center-back Eder Militao after he sustained a hamstring injury late in the season with the club, keeping optimism about his presence in the World Cup.
The initial rehab projections suggested the defender would miss the remainder of the season with Real Madrid but still recover in time for international duty.
However, a new report emerging on Saturday has changed that outlook ahead of the tournament.
According to Miguel Angel Diaz of Cadena COPE, Militao has suffered a relapse of the same injury and now requires surgery.
"(Militao) has suffered a relapse of the biceps femoris injury, the scar has reopened, and he will possibly have to undergo surgery," Diaz reported.
According to Diaz, the scar tissue from a previous hamstring tear has reopened. If the Brazilian undergoes surgery, he'd be expected to miss the World Cup, with his recovery estimated to last between four and five months.
INFORMA @miguelitocope
— Tiempo de Juego (@tjcope) April 25, 2026
Militao podría perderse el Mundial con @CBF_Futebol
Ha recaído de la lesión en el bíceps femoral, se le ha abierto la cicatriz y, posiblemente, tendrá que pasar por quirófanohttps://t.co/bEVCuXp6Gt
Militao already missed nearly four months earlier in this season with a similar issue in the same area, and his recent setback occurred after he experienced discomfort during a LaLiga match against Alaves on Tuesday.
Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil will open its World Cup campaign on June 13 against Morocco, leaving limited time for recovery even in a best-case, no-surgery scenario.
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This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 9:43 AM.