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Joao Pedro is pushing for Brazil’s starting striker role at the 2026 World Cup after a prolific first campaign with Chelsea, describing the season as special as consistent goals, high involvement in key matches and growing trust from coaching staff place the forward at the centre of both club and national team discussions.

The 24-year-old has quickly become a vital figure at Stamford Bridge in 2025-26, delivering 21 goals and six assists in 42 games across all competitions, while strong recent form in domestic and European fixtures has strengthened claims that Joao Pedro can lead the line for Brazil in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Among Premier League players this season, only Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has contributed to more goals, with Haaland recording 32 league goals and eight assists, while Joao Pedro has also struck 14 times since the start of the calendar year, a figure bettered only by Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, who has scored 15 over the same period.

Reflecting on the move and the impact made, Joao Pedro told UEFA.com that the transition to Chelsea has matched personal ambitions and expectations, stating: “I think my first year at Chelsea has been special,” Joao Pedro told UEFA.com ahead of the Blues taking on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. “I came here to help. I believe I’ve been showing good form. I’m a player who always wants to improve, to reach my highest possible level.”

New Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has spoken highly of Joao Pedro’s recent displays, calling the forward a world-class striker after a standout spell that included a hat-trick in a 4-1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa and an influential performance as Chelsea progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup, with Joao Pedro again central to the attacking approach.

Joao Pedro credits regular discussions with Rosenior for a sharper mentality and better decision-making in advanced areas, explaining how tactical clarity and emotional backing from the coaching staff have supported development, saying: “When the new manager arrived, we had several conversations,” Joao Pedro added. “I think my form is largely down to those conversations I’ve had with him, from him showing that he genuinely wants to help me improve. When you feel that support from your manager, you naturally push yourself harder every day.”

Joao Pedro Brazil World Cup battle with rival forwards

Competition for Brazil’s centre-forward position remains intense ahead of the tournament, with Tottenham striker Richarlison and Manchester United attacker Matheus Cunha both under consideration, while Igor Thiago has forced into the conversation by scoring 18 Premier League goals for Brentford, and Palmeiras forward Vitor Roque strengthening credentials after returning from Barcelona and performing consistently in Brazil.

Rodrygo will not be part of that attacking mix, with the Real Madrid forward ruled out of the World Cup following an anterior cruciate ligament injury, reducing Carlo Ancelotti’s options in wide and central roles and creating more space for specialists such as Joao Pedro and other strikers to secure key places in Brazil’s final squad.

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Joao Pedro Brazil World Cup outlook and Neymar’s return

Brazil are due to face France and Croatia in friendlies later this month, matches expected to provide clearer clues about Ancelotti’s preferred attacking structure, with reports in Brazil suggesting that all-time top scorer Neymar has been named in an initial squad after missing national team action since October 2023, having already appeared at three previous World Cups.

With those warm-up games approaching and selection decisions looming, Joao Pedro’s club form, conversations with Rosenior and role in Chelsea’s season place the forward in a strong position to challenge for Brazil’s number nine shirt, while established names and emerging talents continue to compete for limited attacking spots at the 2026 World Cup.

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