Neymar misses out on Brazil squad but Ancelotti not ruling out World Cup return

Carlo Ancelotti said there was still a chance Neymar could be named in Brazil’s World Cup squad despite being left out for the Selecao’s upcoming friendlies.

Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 caps, has not played for his nation since 2023, when he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

The 34-year-old revealed he was living “year to year” last month and contemplated ending his professional career, but he expressed his desire to compete at the World Cup.

Neymar has featured in three of FIFA’s flagship competitions, with this likely to be his last crack at international glory, with Brazil out for their first title since 2002.

He played the duration of Santos’ 1-1 draw with Corinthians on Sunday, a match that saw two of Ancelotti’s assistants attend, but he was unable to make any impact.

“Neymar is not at 100 percent, and therefore he is not on the list,” Ancelotti said on Monday. “Neymar is not at 100 percent of his capability.

“If he can be at 100 percent physically, he can be there. Neymar could be at the World Cup.

“Neymar has to keep working, playing, showcasing his qualities and maintaining good physical condition.”

CONVOCADOS!

O mister Ancelotti divulgou a lista de jogadores convocados para os amistosos contra França e Croácia, nos dias 26 e 31 de março, nos Estados Unidos.

BATE NO PEITO!

ISSO É BRASIL pic.twitter.com/qT9zVAn6Gl

— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) March 16, 2026

Ancelotti’s squad selection also saw him include Endrick for the first time since taking over from Dorival Junior, with the youngster impressing on loan at Lyon.

Endrick has scored six goals in 12 appearances across all competitions, with only Corentin Tolisso (11) and Pavel Sulc (13) scoring more for the Ligue 1 side in 2025-26.

Brentford’s Igor Thiago received his first Brazil call-up having impressed for Keith Andrews’ side this season, but there was no room for Estevao, who is returning to fitness.

Rayan of Bournemouth will also join up for the first time, with Flamengo’s Leo Pereira and Galatasaray’s Gabriel Sara the other debutants in the 26-man squad.

Brazil face France on March 26 before taking on Croatia three days later in what will be the last encounters before Ancelotti names his final World Cup roster on May 18.

They begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13. The five-time world champions will also go up against Scotland and Haiti in Group C.

Brazil squad in full:

Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce); Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahly), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Wesley (Roma); Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray); Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Joao Pedro (Chelsea).