Brazil heads to 2026 World Cup with Neymar

Head coach of the Brazil national team, revealed a 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighted by the return of Neymar.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player, now 34, makes a strong return to the “Seleção” after not featuring for Brazil since October 2023 due to recurring injuries. Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals will participate in the fourth World Cup of his career after appearing in the 2014, 2018, and 2022 editions.

After returning last year to Santos, his boyhood club, Neymar had not been called up to the national team since Ancelotti took charge in May 2025.

His last appearance for the five-time world champions came on October 17, 2023, when he suffered a serious left knee injury against Uruguay, which kept him sidelined for a long period.

Following his move to Saudi club Al Hilal, where he played only a handful of matches due to injuries, Neymar joined Santos in 2025. Despite his ongoing physical problems, he played a key role in helping the club remain in the top division last season before undergoing surgery on the same left knee in late December.

Squad list

Goalkeepers:

Alisson (Liverpool, England), Ederson (Fenerbahçe, Turkey), Weverton (Grêmio)

Defenders:

Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus, Italy), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint Petersburg, Russia), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal, England), Ibanez (Al Ahli, Saudi Arabia), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Wesley (Roma, Italy)

Midfielders:

Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United, England), Casemiro (Manchester United, England), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo)

Forwards:

Endrick (Lyon, France), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal, England), Igor Thiago (Brentford, England), Luis Henrique (Zenit, Russia), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United, England), Neymar (Santos), Raphinha (Barcelona, Spain), Ryan (Bournemouth, England), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid, Spain)