Matheus Cunha’s rise from early struggles at Manchester United to Brazil’s 26-man World Cup squad has taken a major step, with Carlo Ancelotti naming the forward for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico after leaving Cunha out of the 2022 selection.

The 27-year-old attacker now arrives for international duty aiming to impress Ancelotti’s staff before Brazil’s World Cup campaign starts on June 13, with the camp offering a key chance to secure minutes after limited scoring returns so far for the national team.

Cunha, who has one goal from 21 Brazil appearances, will prepare through two friendlies against Panama and Egypt, then opens Group C against Morocco at MetLife Stadium, faces Haiti on June 19, and finishes the pool against Scotland in Miami, where knockout hopes may hinge on fine details.

Before this call-up, Cunha endured a tough opening spell at Manchester United, not scoring until 25 October and missing the decisive penalty during the shock EFL Cup defeat against Grimsby Town, a moment that increased pressure during an already testing start in England.

After that first goal, form changed as Cunha became important for Michael Carrick’s side, helping secure Champions League qualification and becoming only the third South American to score at least 10 Premier League goals in a debut United season, after Carlos Tevez’s 14 in 2007-08 and Edinson Cavani’s 10 in 2020-21.

Matheus Cunha Brazil World Cup squad statistics and impact

Across all competitions, Cunha produced 12 goal involvements, with only Benjamin Sesko on 13, Bryan Mbeumo on 14 and Bruno Fernandes on 31 registering more for United during the campaign, a return that underlined the forward’s growing influence despite early setbacks.

Those club numbers helped rebuild confidence after missing the 2022 Selecao squad, and now coincide with Cunha’s return to elite international competition in a year when Brazil look to restore dominance at a World Cup staged across three nations, with Ancelotti assessing options in attack.

“In football, just as in life, it’s part of the process to go through difficult times and overcome them,” Cunha said. “After everything I’ve been through, to have my name on the list, to arrive [to international duty] on my birthdaywell, we’ll see, won’t we? I think it’s fate. It’s hard to make it in football. No matter where I’ve been, the challenges are ever-present. Overcoming them is the greatest secret I have. That’s when it all becomes worthwhile. I’m proud of how far I’ve come; I know it wasn’t easy, but it’s deeply fulfilling. I’m really happy with everything that’s been happening for me, at a club I’ve always wanted to play for. It’s my first year back in the Champions League, back in the competitions the club should be competing in every year, and now I’ve made it into the Brazil national team.”

“I hope it’s as successful as it was there and that I can give my best in the roles I’m most used to playing. My dream is to be 100% involved in the run-up to the World Cup; whatever [Ancelotti] needs from me, I’ll try to do my very best.”

“It’s a pleasure to work with the best people whose experience can be passed on to you, helping with something so huge,” Cunha added. “These people, with so much experience and such a wealth of knowledge in football, are essential at times like this. They’re here with us so that we can achieve our goals together.”

Cunha’s selection for Brazil’s World Cup squad follows a season shaped by recovery from early errors, steady improvement under Carrick, strong attacking data for Manchester United and a clear desire to contribute in familiar roles as Ancelotti finalises attacking plans for the June 13 start.