The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced on 3 June 2026 that Igor Thiago is part of Brazil’s squad for the upcoming World Cup. Despite his impressive form with Brentford, including scoring the winning goal against Croatia and another against Panama, Thiago admitted that representing his country on football’s biggest stage still feels surreal. He spoke about the experience during a press conference on Wednesday (3) at The Ridge Hotel in New Jersey, where the Brazilian national team is based.

“When I reached Granja, it was still sinking in. It doesn’t feel real. I’m extremely happy to be here with the national team and to play in this World Cup. It’s something truly special. The main goal is to make our people proud and, hopefully, bring home that sixth title,” Thiago said with emotion.

Reflecting on his journey, Thiago added, “Being selected for the World Cup is the greatest achievement of my life, both personally and professionally. Back in my hometown, I always dreamed of representing Brazil, but once you’re actually here, the feeling goes far beyond what you ever imagined.”

Igor Thiago speaking during a press conference with the Brazilian national team in New Jersey (Photo credit: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF)

The 24-year-old forward is one of coach Carlo Ancelotti’s attacking options and has already proven to be a strong alternative in Brazil’s lineup. He made an immediate impact on his debut against France and went on to score in matches against both Croatia and Panama.

“Whether I start or come off the bench, I just want to be available for the national team. Representing Brazil itself is a huge honour and source of happiness. Wearing this shirt means being ready for any challenge. Having this mindset—always giving our best and pushing our teammates to do the same—is what keeps our team competitive. I hope we can maintain this spirit throughout the tournament,” he explained.

Born in Brasília and raised in Gama, Thiago ended last season as the highest-scoring Brazilian player in a single Premier League campaign at just 22 years of age. He broke the previous record of 15 goals, which had been achieved by Roberto Firmino for Liverpool in 2017/18, Gabriel Martinelli for Arsenal in 2023/24, and Matheus Cunha for Wolverhampton in 2024/25.

Igor Thiago is set to compete in his first-ever World Cup (Photo credit: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF)