Well, Neymar is back. Neymar will play at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after all. For months, the conversation around Brazil’s all-time leading scorer centered less on football and more on whether his body could hold up long enough to matter again. On Monday night in Rio de Janeiro, that uncertainty disappeared when Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti included the 34-year-old in his 26-man squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.The announcement brought a loud reaction from fans gathered near Rio’s Museum of Tomorrow, where Brazil revealed the squad in front of a packed audience. Neymar had not represented Brazil since suffering a serious knee injury during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in 2023. Since then, repeated hamstring and fitness problems pushed him further away from the national setup. Yet through the setbacks, the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward never stopped talking about one more World Cup run.
Neymar’s World Cup status revealed
Ancelotti’s decision answered the biggest question hanging over Brazil’s squad announcement. The veteran coach admitted Neymar’s situation had been monitored closely throughout the year before making the final call.“Neymar will be an important player for us at the World Cup,” the former Real Madrid coach explained. “We spent the entire year analysing Neymar. We realised that in this last period he had continuity and was in good physical condition.”The recall comes after Neymar rebuilt momentum with boyhood club Santos following a difficult spell in Saudi Arabia. While injuries still limited his appearances, his recent form convinced Brazil’s staff that he could still influence the biggest stage. Neymar has scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil and now prepares for a fourth World Cup appearance after playing in 2014, 2018 and 2022.Ancelotti also made it clear that experience mattered when shaping his squad for a tournament Brazil desperately wants to win. The Seleção have not lifted the World Cup since 2002, a drought that continues to frustrate a nation that measures success by global titles.“We will have a list from which we can develop quality football, with a collective spirit,” said Ancelotti prior to announcing the squad. “The perfect list isn’t there, I’m sure. I have to say that the perfect team won’t win the World Cup, a perfect team doesn’t exist. I think a more resilient team can win.”
Brazil’s squad for the World Cup 2026
Neymar joins an attacking group already packed with elite talent, including Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha. Marquinhos, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhães and Alisson Becker were also selected, while Chelsea striker João Pedro missed out despite a strong domestic season.Brazil opens its Group C campaign against Morocco on June 13 in New York New Jersey before facing Haiti and Scotland. Expectations will follow them everywhere, as they always do. This time, though, the familiar face carrying those hopes again is Neymar, back in yellow after nearly three years away.
Brazil’s World Cup 2026 fixtures
| Date | Match | Stadium |
| 13 June | Brazil v Morocco | New York New Jersey Stadium |
| 19 June | Brazil v Haiti | Philadelphia Stadium |
| 24 June | Scotland v Brazil | Miami Stadium |
