Neymar Named In Brazil Squad As Ancelotti Unveils 26-man World Cup List

Brazil have recalled Neymar to their World Cup squad after nearly two years away from international football, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirming the 26-man list in Rio de Janeiro.

Neymar, 34, who currently plays for Brazilian club Santos FC, is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances.

He has not featured for the Brazil national football team since 2023 due to injury problems, but will now play at his fourth World Cup.

Fans at the ceremony cheered loudly when his name was read out.

Ancelotti said: “We spent the entire year analysing Neymar. We realised that in this last period he had continuity and was in good physical condition”.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker returns despite missing the last 10 matches for Liverpool FC through injury. The squad also includes Casemiro and Matheus Cunha of Manchester United FC, Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United FC and defender Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal FC.

Forward Joao Pedro misses out despite finishing as Chelsea FC’s top Premier League scorer this season.

La Liga stars Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid CF and Raphinha of FC Barcelona are included, along with teenage striker Endrick, currently on loan at Olympique Lyonnais.

Five-time champions Brazil face Morocco on 13 June, Haiti on 20 June and Scotland four days later in Group C of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which kicks off on 11 June across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Below is the Brazil World Cup squad with Neymar included:

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 (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg)

Midfielders
Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paquetá (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)

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