Is Endrick playing in the World Cup? Why Brazil's 19-year old phenom isn't starting

Is Endrick playing in the World Cup? Why Brazil’s 19-year old phenom isn’t starting originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Many of Brazil’s fans were excited to see the 19-year old phenom Endrick at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

So far, though, he can’t break into the starting lineup.

Endrick is under contract with Real Madrid for his club career, although he spent the ending portion of the 2025-26 season on loan with Lyon in Ligue 1. He scored five goals in 16 appearances with Lyon.

He came up through the Palmeiras youth system in Brazil, and he actually made his senior national team debut in 2023. 

Endrick has 17 career caps with four goals at the senior level.

Despite that, his first World Cup has gotten off to a bumpy start.

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Is Endrick playing in the World Cup?

Yes, Endrick is on the Brazil roster, but he hasn’t started either of the first two matches.

He didn’t get into the match against Morocco to open the tournament, a 1-1 draw.

And in the second match against Haiti, he’s again on the bench.

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Why isn’t Endrick starting?

Brazil has chosen to start Matheus Cunha instead of Endrick.

They could also move things around, but neither Raphinha or Vini Jr. would be coming out of the side.

This is how Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti explained it to media before the Haiti match, via ESPN:

“l’ll bring Endrick on at the right moment. We’ll have to wait a little while. He’ll be important in this World Cup. For me, personally, Endrick is an extraordinary talent. Brazil will make the most of his qualities in this World Cup and in the next one too.”

Brazil fans will hope a one-sided match against Haiti gives Endrick time to come on and get his World Cup feet wet.

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