Brazil’s list for the 2026 World Cup includes Neymar
Carlo Ancelotti, technical director of the Brazilian team, revealed this Wednesday the 26 called up for the World Cup that will be held from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Italian strategist included forward Neymar, 34, as one of the team’s important cards.
“I can say that Brazil can win the World Cup. I know that the list is not perfect. The perfect team does not win, the perfect team does not exist, but the most resistant team does,” said Ancelotti during the event organized by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
Regarding the Santos attacker, Ancelotti was clear: “He is an important player and will continue to be so in this World Cup. He has the same role and the same responsibilities as the other 25. He can play, not play, come on as a substitute or be a starter. He is a player with experience.”
Neymar had not worn the ‘canarinha’ shirt since last October, when they lost 2-0 to Uruguay in the Qualifiers. Since then, he was not considered by interim coaches Fernando Diniz or Dorival Júnior, nor by Ancelotti, who took over in May 2025. His last participation in a large tournament was the Copa América 2024, also in the United States, from which he was left out.
The forward will seek his first world title after disappointments in Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. With the senior team he only won the 2013 Confederations Cup and the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. He is Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals.
Brazil’s path in Group C
The green and yellow will debut on June 13 against Morocco in New Jersey. Three days later they will face Haiti in Philadelphia and close the group stage on June 24 against Scotland in Miami. All of their matches will be played on US soil.
Before the tournament, Neymar will play four games with Santos, a club with which he has scored 18 goals and 9 assists in 45 games. His physical condition will be key, since in recent years he has been affected by various injuries. The Brazilian team will look for its sixth World Cup star.




