Brazil finalizes squad for 2026 World Cup: Neymar included!

Brazilian fans celebrate as Neymar's name is announced as the winner. Photo: AP

Neymar, 34, is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals but has struggled to regain peak fitness since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in October 2023. He has played eight games for Santos this year, scoring four goals and providing two assists.

"He has improved his fitness, he will be an important player at this World Cup," said Brazil's coach, Carlo Ancelotti, at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro.

Ancelotti added that he prioritizes experienced players for certain positions in the squad, including Neymar. “He can still improve his fitness until the first World Cup match,” the Italian coach explained. “He has experience in tournaments like this, he’s well-liked by his teammates, and he can create a better environment within the team.”

Just before Ancelotti's squad was announced, Neymar made a rather unexpected change to his Instagram bio; he simply listed Santos as his current club and added Brazil.

Brazil's 26-man squad also includes key players from recent years, such as Alisson, Marquinhos, Casemiro, Vinicius Júnior, and Raphinha… However, Ancelotti surprised fans by omitting some high-performing stars in Europe, such as Antony of Betis and Joao Pedro of Chelsea.

Ancelotti, who will take over the team in May 2025, did not call up Neymar until Monday.

The Italian coach extended his contract with the Brazilian Football Confederation last week until the 2030 World Cup, but he has had a difficult time in Brazil so far with many injured players missing from the World Cup squad; strikers Rodrygo and Estevao are the ones he will miss most in North America.

Brazil will begin their World Cup campaign with a match against Morocco in New Jersey on June 13, followed by matches against Haiti and Scotland in Group C.

Brazil's squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Goalkeepers : Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)

Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg)

Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo)

Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth).

Source: https://tienphong.vn/brazil-chot-danh-list-for-world-cup-2026-neymar-has-his-name-post1844443.tpo