Ancelotti Includes Veteran Striker Neymar in World Cup Squad

The protracted uncertainty regarding Neymar’s participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup has concluded. Following months of speculation regarding his physical condition, surgical rehabilitation, and international future, Brazil’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has formally selected the forward in his definitive 26-man tournament roster.

Ancelotti announced the squad during an official Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) press conference held at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro. The inclusion of the 34-year-old striker establishes him as the focal point of the five-time world champions’ upcoming international campaign.

Rehabilitation and Return to Selection

Neymar’s inclusion follows a long period of absence from the national team setup. After sustaining a severe knee injury during a World Cup qualification match against Uruguay in October 2023, the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward remained outside the national squad’s immediate plans. Prioritising match fitness, Ancelotti opted to exclude the player from high-profile international friendlies against France and Croatia in March.

Following a period marked by fitness difficulties in Saudi Arabia, Neymar secured a transfer back to his childhood club, Santos FC, in January. His regular competitive appearances in familiar surroundings successfully demonstrated his physical readiness to the Italian manager. This selection marks the fourth World Cup tournament of Neymar’s international career, following his selections in 2014, 2018, and 2022. He remains the top goalscorer in the history of the Brazilian national team, with a record of 79 goals in 128 senior appearances.

Group Stage Fixtures and Timeline

Brazil will begin their campaign on 13 June against Morocco. The South American nation has been placed in Group C for the initial phase of the global tournament.

Complete 26-Man World Cup Roster

The final squad list submitted by the CBF contains the following players, catalogued by their playing positions and domestic clubs:

• Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahçe), Weverton (Grêmio).

• Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Gleison Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Roger Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Wesley França (Roma).

• Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo).

• Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St Petersburg), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Neymar (Santos), Raphinha (FC Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid).