Neymar has made a stunning comeback to the international stage, earning a place in Brazil’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup a selection that many local analysts and former players had deemed unlikely just days ago.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti unveiled the squad during a ceremony at Rio de Janeiro’s Museum of Tomorrow, in an event featuring music acts and celebrity guests, with all eyes fixed on whether the 34-year-old superstar would make the cut.
The announcement confirmed that Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 79 international goals, will appear at his fourth World Cup, having previously featured in the tournaments of 2014, 2018, and 2022.
Neymar earned his recall following an impressive run of form with Santos FC, where he registered six goals and four assists this season, after an injury-hit spell at Al Hilal where he managed only seven appearances in nearly 18 months.
The Santos striker has struggled to return to top fitness since tearing his left ACL in October 2023, but coach Ancelotti, who had not previously called up Neymar since taking charge of Brazil in May 2025, confirmed his selection was based on merit.
Ancelotti had been clear throughout the buildup that any decision would be driven by fitness and form rather than sentiment and Neymar ultimately made his case.
However, the feel-good story came at a cost for other hopefuls. Neymar’s inclusion left no room for Chelsea striker João Pedro and Real Betis winger Antony, both of whom were left out of the squad.
João Pedro’s omission was particularly surprising given his haul of 20 goals for Chelsea this season, though Ancelotti pointed to the forward’s lack of impact at international level the striker is yet to score in eight appearances for the Seleção.
Brazil begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13, before taking on Haiti on June 20, and concluding their Group C fixtures against Scotland on June 24.
FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio).
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris St-Germain), Gabriel (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).
