Neymar has been selected for Brazil’s World Cup squad, which was announced on Monday. The 34-year-old’s selection has surprised local analysts and former players.
Neymar is Brazil’s all-time top goal scorer with 79 goals, will be making his fourth appearance at the World Cup. His inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup squad comes as a surprise because of fitness concerns after the Santos striker tore his left ACL in October 2023.
“He has improved his fitness,” Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said at a news conference in Rio de Janeiro. “He will be an important player in this World Cup.”
The coach said for a few spots in the squad, he went with experienced players, including Neymar.
“He has experience in this kind of competition, the love of our group; he can create a better environment in this group. We chose Neymar not because we think he’ll be a good substitute. We chose Neymar because we believe he can help the team, whether it’s for one minute, five minutes, 90 minutes or even taking a penalty,” Ancelotti added.
Since taking charge in May 2025, coach Ancelotti had not picked Neymar in the national team until Monday. Brazil’s 26-member squad also includes key stars VinÃcius Júnior and Raphinha, who have been among the team’s most important players in recent years.
Young forwards Endrick of Lyon and Rayan of Bournemouth received their first-ever World Cup call-ups. They were preferred ahead of João Pedro and Antony for the final attacking spots in the squad.
Ancelotti has had a difficult start as Brazil coach, mainly because several players are injured and unavailable. Among those missing, Rodrygo and Estêvão are likely to be the biggest absentees during the tournament in North America.
“It was very difficult to choose the 26 players because the competition in this country is so high. Some players who were with us will not be on the list. I am very sorry, and I want to thank them for their effort,” Ancelotti said.
“We believe this is a squad capable of playing quality football for the national team, with an extraordinary collective spirit, attitude, and concentration. I know it is not the perfect list, but the perfect team does not exist.”
Ancelotti extended his contract with Brazil last week to the 2030 World Cup.
“We have the best coach in the world with us,” Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Samir Xaud said. “We have to make the most of him. One year of work is not enough. I made a point of renewing his contract before the World Cup, regardless of the result, because I believe he has a lot to contribute to Brazilian soccer.”
Brazil open their World Cup campaign against Morocco in New Jersey on June 13, followed by Haiti and Scotland in Group C.
Brazil’s World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Éderson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg)
Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), VinÃcius Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth)
