Neymar has been selected in Brazil‘s squad for the 2026 World Cup by Carlo Ancelotti.
The decision over whether to take the 34-year-old to the finals in North America has dominated the build-up to Ancelotti’s squad announcement on Monday, which came after Ancelotti extended his contract, meaning he will lead the Selecao into the 2030 tournament.
Neymar has enjoyed an excellent 2026 so far for boyhood club Santos, scoring six goals and providing two assists.
Concern around his injury history was the primary reason for doubt surrounding his potential inclusion in the squad.
Neymar has not played for the Selecao since a defeat to Uruguay in World Cup qualifying on October 17, 2023.
But the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star could now appear at his fourth World Cup finals after his selection was met with rapturous celebrations by fans in attendance of the ceremony confining the squad.
Neymar has been included seemingly at the expense of Chelsea star Joao Pedro, who was not named in the squad.
Pedro has enjoyed an excellent first season for Chelsea, scoring 20 goals and providing six assists. However, he has not scored in eight appearances for the national team, most recently drawing a blank in the 3-1 friendly win over Croatia in March.
Brazil will face Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in Group C.
Brazil squad in full
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Wesley (Roma)
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Neymar (Santos), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).
