why is rodrygo not playing for brazil

Rodrygo is not playing for Brazil because he has been sidelined by a serious knee injury, which has kept him out of competitive action and made him unavailable for selection. Reports say the injury involves an ACL tear and meniscus damage, and Brazil’s coaching staff has prioritized fully fit players for the squad.

What happened

Rodrygo suffered the injury in March, and the recovery timeline was long enough that he was ruled out for the 2026 World Cup. Several reports also note that his return to full match fitness is not expected until late 2026 or even 2027.

Why Brazil left him out

• He was not physically ready to contribute at tournament level.

• Brazil needed players who could handle the demands of a major competition immediately.

• The absence is therefore injury-related, not a tactical snub.

Recent context

Rodrygo had also been mentioned in broader discussions about Brazil’s squad choices, but the key reason for his absence in the most recent reports is still the knee injury and recovery process.

TL;DR

Rodrygo is out for Brazil because of a major knee injury, not because of poor form alone. He is recovering, but he was not fit enough to make the squad.