Neymar’s World Cup dream alive: Ancelotti names star to Brazil’s preliminary roster
Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly named Neymar on his 55-man initial roster for this summer’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.
Santos forward Neymar remains in contention to go to his fourth World Cup with Brazil, after reportedly being included on the Seleção’s preliminary roster for this summer’s tournament in North America.
Reports in the Brazilian media say Neymar is on the 55-player list that the Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF) was due to send to FIFA, the world game’s governing body, on Monday.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti is scheduled to reveal his final, 26-man roster for the World Cup on May 18.
Will Neymar make Brazil comeback for World Cup?
Capped 128 times by Brazil, Neymar is his national team’s highest ever scorer, with 79 goals. He headlined the South Americans’ squads for the World Cups in 2014, 2018 and 2022, netting eight times in 13 tournament appearances.
However, the 34-year-old last played for the five-time world champions in October 2023, shortly before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He returned to club action in October 2024, but has not made any of Ancelotti’s final squad lists since the Italian took over as Brazil boss a year ago.
Speaking after leaving Neymar out of Brazil’s squad for the March international window, Ancelotti pointed to the ongoing fitness struggles endured by a player who has been limited to 13 games for Santos in 2026, having again been sidelined by a knee issue.
But Ancelotti also left the door open for the ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star to return for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. “I haven’t called him up because he’s not 100%,” Ancelotti said. “But for the final [World Cup] squad, that’s another story.”
“We’ll achieve our goal”
Talking to reporters in the wake of his omission from March’s friendlies against France and Croatia, Neymar described himself as “upset and sad”, but vowed to secure World Cup selection: “We’ll achieve our goal. There’s still one final squad announcement to go and the dream lives on. That’s it, we’re in this together.”
Following news of Neymar’s inclusion on Brazil’s initial roster, the veteran’s chance of playing at the 2026 World Cup shot up on the prediction market Polymarket, rising from well below 50% to as high as 61%.
When do Brazil kick off their World Cup campaign?
Drawn in Group C, Brazil begin their bid for a sixth world title when they face Morocco in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on June 13.
Before their World Cup opener, the Canarinha take on Panama in a Rio de Janeiro friendly on May 31, before playing a final tournament tuneup against Egypt, on June 6 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Brazil’s Group C schedule in full:
- June 13: Brazil vs Morocco, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
- June 19: Brazil vs Haiti, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
- June 24: Scotland vs Brazil, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL
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