The question of whether Neymar will feature in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad under coach Carlo Ancelotti remains unresolved, as public opinion in the country appears sharply divided. Ancelotti is scheduled to announce Brazil’s World Cup squad on 18 May, but no final decisions have been confirmed.
A survey conducted by the Brazilian research organisation Genial/Quest, published last Thursday, has highlighted contrasting views among Brazilians regarding Neymar’s potential inclusion. According to the findings, 47 per cent of respondents support his return to the national team, while 45 per cent oppose it. A further 8 per cent expressed no opinion or remained undecided.
The same study also reflects subdued enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament. More than half of those surveyed—54 per cent—stated they feel no excitement about the World Cup. Only 12 per cent described themselves as “very excited”, while 32 per cent said they are not particularly enthusiastic.
Key Survey Findings
| Issue | Result |
|---|---|
| Support for Neymar’s return | 47% |
| Opposition to Neymar’s return | 45% |
| No opinion | 8% |
| No excitement about World Cup | 54% |
| Very excited about World Cup | 12% |
| Brazil will not win World Cup | 68% |
| Satisfied with Ancelotti | 41% |
| Unsatisfied | 29% |
| No opinion on coach | 30% |
Concerns over Brazil’s prospects in the tournament are also significant. A striking 68 per cent of respondents believe the national team will not win the World Cup. This represents the highest level of pessimism recorded since Genial/Quest began its football-related surveys in April 2023.
The Genial/Quest institute is a joint initiative combining the financial expertise of Genial Investimentos with the data analysis and research capabilities of Quest Consultoria e Pesquisa, founded by CEO Felipe Nunes. The organisation has previously gained recognition for large-scale opinion polls on voting behaviour, political preferences, and government approval ratings in Brazil. Its surveys typically involve responses from around 2,000 or more participants and are widely regarded as reliable.
Neymar, 34, has been absent from the national team for more than two years due to injury and fitness concerns. His last appearance for Brazil came in October 2023 during a World Cup qualifying match. A return to the national squad would depend on his inclusion in Ancelotti’s selection, as Brazil have no official fixtures before the squad announcement. After the squad is finalised, Brazil are expected to play two friendly matches against Panama and Egypt as part of their final preparations.
Regional differences in opinion are evident. In Brazil’s southern region, opposition to Neymar’s return is predominant. In contrast, the north-east shows stronger support for his inclusion. Opinions in the central-west and northern regions also tend to favour his recall. The south-east region, where Neymar’s club Santos is based in São Paulo, shows a more balanced split.
Income levels also influence opinions. Among lower-income groups, support and opposition to Neymar’s return are nearly equal. Higher-income respondents, however, show a slightly more positive inclination towards his inclusion.
The survey was conducted between 10 and 13 April, involving 2,004 respondents aged 16 and above.
Regarding the national team coach, Ancelotti’s approval ratings also reflect mixed sentiment. Forty-one per cent expressed satisfaction with his performance, 29 per cent were dissatisfied, and 30 per cent gave no opinion. Under his management, Brazil have played 10 matches, winning five, drawing two, and losing three, resulting in a 56 per cent win rate.
Neymar’s club career has also been closely monitored. After returning to Santos in early 2025, he has made 36 appearances, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists. However, recurring muscle and ligament injuries have affected his consistency. Despite occasional strong performances, maintaining regular form has remained difficult.
Brazil’s selection process continues to attract attention ahead of the 18 May squad announcement, with Neymar’s place still uncertain as final preparations for the 2026 World Cup approach.