Gabriel Jesus: “I still believe I’ll be in the World Cup squad”
Arsenal’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus insists he has not given up on his dream of returning to the national team and making Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. Despite injuries, limited minutes in England and strong competition in his position, the 29‑year‑old is convinced that a strong finish to the season can put him back in contention.
Speaking in his homeland, Jesus admitted that his current situation at club level is far from ideal for a player who wants to wear the famous yellow shirt again. However, he stressed that his belief in himself and his experience with the Seleção keep his ambitions alive.
“There are players ahead of me”
Jesus did not hide how difficult it will be to reclaim a place among Brazil’s forwards. The number of top‑class attacking options has grown, and the Arsenal striker recognises that some of his compatriots are currently performing at a higher level.
“To be honest, the limited playing time I’ve had with my club makes it harder for me to return to the national team,” he admitted. “There are players who are performing better than me right now. I can see that, and I respect it.”
With Brazil constantly producing attacking talent and with several forwards in excellent form in Europe and South America, Jesus knows that simply having a big reputation is not enough. Regular minutes, goals and consistent displays are essential if he wants to be considered again.
Confidence in a late-season surge
Despite acknowledging the difficulty of the challenge, Jesus firmly believes that his story with the national team is not over. For him, everything hinges on how he finishes the current campaign with Arsenal.
“I truly believe that if I finish the season in a strong way, my name will be back in the conversation,” he said. “I’ve worn this shirt before and I have the experience. That counts for something.”
Jesus has already represented Brazil at major tournaments, including previous World Cups and continental competitions. That history, he feels, can work in his favour if he manages to prove on the pitch that he is still capable of deciding big games.
Setback after serious injury
The forward’s career trajectory shifted in January 2025, when he suffered a cruciate ligament tear. The long-term injury halted his momentum and led to a noticeable dip in his performances after returning to action.
Since coming back, Jesus has struggled to recapture his old explosiveness and rhythm. This season, he has featured in 24 matches for Arsenal, contributing 5 goals and 1 assist so far. For a striker accustomed to higher numbers, that output is modest and not enough on its own to secure an automatic place in a fiercely competitive national side.
The injury did not only affect his statistics; it also influenced his confidence, his movement and his integration into a team that has been evolving tactically. Recovering from a cruciate ligament problem is as much a mental battle as a physical one, and Jesus is still working to reach the level he demands from himself.
Omitted from recent Brazil squads
A clear sign of his current position in the pecking order came in March and April, when he was left out of Brazil’s squads for friendly matches against France and Croatia, played on 26 March and 1 April. The absence underlined how far he has to climb back if he wants to convince the national team staff ahead of 2026.
For a player who once seemed a permanent fixture in the Seleção, watching these games from a distance is a stark reminder that international football offers no guarantees. New names emerge constantly, and coaches rarely hesitate to make changes if they feel someone is not at their peak.
Ancelotti’s choice for 2026
Jesus is well aware that the final decision about his World Cup fate lies with head coach Carlo Ancelotti. The Brazilian striker expressed his faith that, if he performs at a high level again, the experienced Italian manager will not ignore him.
He believes that Ancelotti values players who combine tactical discipline with versatility, and Jesus sees this as one of his strengths. Capable of playing as a central striker or drifting wide, pressing from the front and linking play, he hopes that this profile can make him an attractive option when the coach draws up his long list for 2026.
At the same time, Jesus understands that Ancelotti will build his squad on current form rather than on reputation. This reality adds pressure but also clarity: the only way to the World Cup is through performances, not through past achievements.
Fighting for minutes at Arsenal
One of the key obstacles Jesus recognises is his inconsistent game time at Arsenal. Rotations, tactical experiments and competition from other forwards have limited his presence in the starting XI. For a national team candidate, being on the pitch every week is crucial.
To strengthen his case, the Brazilian needs more minutes in decisive matches, not only to score and assist, but also to show that he can be a leader on the pitch, press intelligently, and contribute to his team’s overall play. Every appearance between now and the World Cup qualifiers could be decisive for how the selectors perceive him.
He knows that a forward’s form can change quickly: a good run of games, a series of important goals in the league or in European competitions, and the narrative around him might shift dramatically.
Experience as an added value
Despite the setbacks, Jesus believes his international background is a trump card. Having played at the highest level for both club and country, he feels he can deal with the pressure of a World Cup better than many newcomers.
He has already experienced the weight of expectation from millions of fans, the tension of knockout matches and the tactical demands of games against elite opposition. This, he argues, is something that cannot be simulated and that can be invaluable in a tournament setting.
In a squad that might include several younger players at their first World Cup, his presence could bring balance and guidance in the dressing room. Jesus wants to convince not only with his feet but also with his maturity and leadership.
Mental resilience and personal motivation
Another factor keeping his World Cup dream alive is his mental resilience. Overcoming a major knee injury, dealing with criticism and handling the frustration of reduced playing time have forced him to grow beyond purely technical aspects of football.
Jesus now speaks more openly about the importance of patience, hard work in training and trust in the process. He sees every training session as an opportunity to show that he is returning to his best, and every match as a chance to remind observers why he once became one of Brazil’s most promising strikers.
The idea of missing out on a World Cup is painful, but it also serves as a powerful motivator. For him, the next months are about proving-to himself as much as to others-that he can still be decisive at the highest level.
Competition for Brazil’s forward line
The path back into the Seleção is made more complicated by the depth of attacking talent available to Brazil. Several strikers and wide forwards are enjoying excellent seasons in Europe’s top leagues and in domestic competitions back home.
Jesus knows that he must stand out not only through goals, but also through his overall influence on matches. Pressing, work rate, movement without the ball and contribution to team structure are all increasingly valued by modern coaches. In this context, his versatility could help him, but the margin for error is extremely small.
Being honest about the current hierarchy-admitting that “there are players ahead”-does not mean accepting defeat. Instead, it reflects an understanding of how high the bar has been set for anyone hoping to represent the five-time world champions.
Looking ahead to 2026
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, time is both an enemy and an ally for Gabriel Jesus. On one hand, he must quickly regain his peak form to be part of the preparation cycles and qualifying matches. On the other hand, there is still enough time for him to change the perception around his name if he puts together a consistent run of performances.
His message is clear: he has not closed the chapter with the national team. He remains convinced that, with hard work, a strong finish to the season and a bit of luck with injuries, he can convince Carlo Ancelotti and his staff that he deserves a seat on the plane.
For now, all his focus is on staying fit, making the most of every opportunity at Arsenal and proving that, at 29, he still has plenty to offer at the highest level. The World Cup dream is alive-and Gabriel Jesus intends to fight for it until the very end.