When manager Carlo Ancelotti read out the list of players in Brazil’s World Cup squad, the name that drew the loudest cheers was Neymar Jr.
After months of hard work on his fitness, the 34-year-old forward breathed a sigh of relief after earning a spot in Brazil’s 26-man squad for the North American Games, which begin on June 11.
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His return to the national team after two-and-a-half years came with its own share of drama and questions.
Here’s what you need to know about Neymar’s surprise call-up to the World Cup.
Why was Neymar selected for the Brazil World Cup squad?
Brazil coach Ancelotti said he chose Neymar out of nine attackers after seeing his improved fitness level.
Neymar da Silva Santos Jr. is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer. However, he missed most of the Selecao’s qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament due to injury, as they aim for a record-extending sixth title, and his selection in the squad was considered doubtful.
“We have evaluated Neymar throughout the year and have noticed that recently he has been playing consistently and his fitness has improved,” Ancelotti told reporters at Monday’s squad announcement in Rio de Janeiro.
“He has the same role and responsibilities as the other players, but he is an experienced player. It is true that in some positions we prioritized experience.”
Why was Neymar’s choice so controversial?
The simple answer is injury.
Neymar has struggled to return to peak fitness and has been absent from the national team squad since October 2023, when he suffered a serious knee injury in which he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). A lengthy injury absence with Saudi club Al Hilal and a disappointing return to boyhood club Santos last year have raised further doubts about the veteran’s inclusion in the squad.
There was a national debate over whether Ancelotti should call him up for the World Cup, but only time will tell whether the decision backfired or was another coaching stunt by the Italian manager.
The dressing room could benefit from Neymar’s veteran presence, and especially from his experience playing in major tournaments, but there are doubts whether his size can keep up with the demanding nature of an expanded World Cup.
Earlier this week, Neymar made global headlines, albeit for a different reason. He was furious over a substitution mistake during a game against Santos, and a video of the incident went viral on social media.
How did fans and experts react to Neymar’s choice?
Despite being away from the national team since the end of 2023, Neymar still holds a special place in the hearts of Brazilian fans and players.
As the World Cup selections were announced, hundreds of fans gathered outside Rio de Janeiro’s Tomorrow Museum, holding up their phones and waiting desperately for manager Ancelotti to announce the names of their beloved superstars.
And when Neymar’s participation was finally confirmed inside the venue, there was a party-like atmosphere in this part of the soccer-mad South American country.
Players have also been vocal about their support for Neymar.
Former Brazil defender Marcelo raised his fist to congratulate Neymar on joining the squad in an Instagram post after seeing the announcement on TV. Meanwhile, Barcelona star Rafinha, who was also called up, told TV Globo earlier this month that Neymar is “the man who will take us to a sixth World Cup title”.
Captain Marquinhos spearheaded a public lobbying campaign by players to have Neymar included, telling Brazilian website UOL in March: “As a teammate, as a Brazilian and as a fan, we want him to play in the World Cup.”
Is Joao Pedro left out of the Brazil squad?
yes. On Tuesday, Pedro was named Chelsea’s Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season. However, it wasn’t enough to earn him a place in the star-studded team of Brazilian players who had been named the day before. The versatile forward was snubbed along with Richarlison, with Eder Militão, Rodrigo and Estevao all sidelined through injury.
How many World Cups has Neymar played in? And will this be his last?
The 2026 tournament will be Neymar’s fourth World Cup.
He played in the 2014 tournament in his home country, followed by the 2018 tournament in Russia and the last World Cup in Qatar four years ago. Neymar has scored eight goals and provided four assists in 13 games in three World Cups.
He also boasts the impressive record of being Brazil’s top scorer with 79 goals, a feat that surpasses that of Brazil’s great Pele, who was Brazil’s absolute main marksman for 60 years.
But will this be Neymar’s last dance? probably.
Given his history of injuries and fitness issues, declining skill set and increasing age (he will be 38 by the 2030 tournament), it is highly unlikely that Neymar will play in another World Cup.
How many goals will Neymar score in 2026?
His four goals and two assists in Brazil’s Serie A in 2026, after returning from surgery in February, are far from his usual best results for the former two-time La Liga champion and Champions League trophy winner with Barcelona, and five-time Ligue 1 champion with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
