Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top scorer, has been called up for the 2026 World Cup as Carlo Ancelotti moves to forward for the first time.
Published May 18, 2026
Neymar has been included in Brazil’s World Cup squad, but many local analysts and former soccer players thought his selection was unlikely a few days ago.
The 34-year-old is Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, but has struggled to return to peak fitness since tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament in October 2023.
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As expected, Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad also includes Vinicius Junior and Rafinha, who have been Brazil’s mainstays in recent years.
The Italian manager, who took over in May 2025, did not call up Neymar until Monday’s announcement.
Last week, Ancelotti extended his contract with the Brazilian Football Federation until the 2030 World Cup, but Brazil has been plagued with trouble so far, with a number of injured players being left out of the World Cup squad. Strikers Rodrygo and Estebao are the players he will miss most in North America.
Brazil National Team for the 2026 World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio) Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibanez (Al Ahly), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg) Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al Itihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo) Forwards: Endrik (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Rafinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Luis Enrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Ryan (Bournemouth).
