Carlo Ancelotti has named Neymar in his 26-man Brazil squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a two-and-a-half-year absence from the national team and giving the 34-year-old the chance to write one final chapter in his international career. The announcement was made at a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro on 18 May, with large crowds gathering outside the venue chanting Neymar’s name in anticipation of the moment Ancelotti finally confirmed his inclusion.
Neymar last played for Brazil on 18 October 2023, when he suffered a devastating knee injury, tearing the ligaments and meniscus in his left knee during a 2-0 defeat against Uruguay at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo. The injury kept him out for well over a year and cast serious doubt over whether he would ever return to the national team. It was his 128th and, until now, final cap for the Selecao.
His last goal for Brazil came even earlier, a brace against Bolivia on 9 September 2023, and his return to international football will end a drought of close to three years at the scoring level.
The road back was not straightforward. Coaches Mano Menezes, Fernando Diniz and Dorival Junior all overlooked him during his recovery period, and even Ancelotti himself left him out of earlier squad announcements, insisting fitness rather than talent was the determining factor.
“If Neymar is at 100 per cent, he can obviously make it to the World Cup,” Ancelotti had told The Guardian on 13 May. “With most players, you need to assess talent and physical condition. With Neymar, we only need to assess his physical condition because his talent is beyond question.”
What convinced Ancelotti was Neymar’s form at Santos, whom he rejoined after a deeply disappointing spell at Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, where he made just seven appearances in almost 18 months. Since returning to his boyhood club, Neymar has scored six goals and provided four assists, moving with renewed sharpness and purpose and demonstrating he can still perform at the highest level.
The Neymar who boards the plane to North America will not be the explosive winger who once ran defences ragged in isolation. He has evolved into a deeper, more creative attacking midfielder, relying on vision, technique and intelligence rather than raw pace. Ancelotti is expected to use him principally as an impact substitute, offering a creative dimension that neither Matheus Cunha nor Lucas Paqueta has consistently provided.
His return has come at a cost for Joao Pedro, the Chelsea striker who failed to fully impress during friendlies and was not selected despite strong club form.
Beyond Neymar, the squad features considerable strength across all positions. Alisson and Ederson provide experienced goalkeeping options, while the defensive line includes Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes and PSG captain Marquinhos. Bruno Guimaraes and Casemiro anchor the midfield, with Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli leading the attacking threat. Youngster Endrick, on loan at Lyon, earns his place after a promising club season, and Brentford’s Igor Thiago is included as a striker option.
Brazil have been drawn in Group C and open their campaign against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on 13 June. They then face Haiti at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on 20 June before completing the group stage against Scotland at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on 24 June. Before the tournament, Brazil play a warm-up friendly against Panama at the Maracana on 31 May.
Brazil have not won the World Cup since 2002 and have not reached a final since their traumatic defeat to Germany in 2014. With Neymar, Vinicius and Raphinha together for the first time, and a squad of genuine depth, Ancelotti’s side arrive in North America as one of the genuine contenders for a sixth title.
Brazil’s full squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)
Defenders: Marquinhos (PSG), Gabriel (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Ibanez (Al Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Wesley (Roma), Danilo (Flamengo), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit)
Midfielders: Casemiro (Manchester United), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Fabinho (Al Ittihad), Danilo (Botafogo), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo)
Forwards: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Endrick (Lyon), Martinelli (Arsenal), Rayan (Bournemouth), Neymar (Santos)
