Brazil call up underfit Neymar in 26-man World Cup squad (LIST)
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer Neymar Junior called up for World Cup 2026 as Head Coach Carlo Ancelotti turns to forward for first time.
Neymar made Brazil’s World Cup squad, a selection many local analysts and former footballers deemed unlikely only days ago.
The 34-year-old is Brazil’s all-time top goal-scorer with 79, but has struggled to return to top fitness since he tore his left ACL in October 2023.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad also features, as expected, Brazil’s main players in recent years, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha.
Carlo Ancelotti surprised many by bringing Neymar back into Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, although the final roster also featured major injury absences such as Rodrygo, Éder Militão, and Estêvão.
The squad was unveiled by Carlo Ancelotti during a major event held at the Museu do Amanhã in Rio de Janeiro, where more than 700 journalists gathered to hear the Italian coach’s final list for the tournament that will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The Italian coach, who took over in May 2025, had not summoned Neymar until Monday’s announcement.
Ancelotti extended his contract with the Brazilian Football Confederation last week to the 2026 World Cup, but he has had a troubled spell in Brazil so far, with many injured players out of his World Cup squad. Strikers Rodrygo and Estevao are the ones he will miss the most in North America.
Brazil squad for World Cup 2026:
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).
