Neymar tops Brazil's final list for the 2026 World Cup
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has unleashed a resounding surprise in global sports circles after he officially announced the 26-man Seleção squad for the 2026 World Cup, which saw the historic and unexpected return of Neymar Jr.
The recall of Brazil's all-time top scorer came as a happy shock to football fans, especially as there was a lot of speculation and doubts surrounding the 34-year-old international's future and the extent of his physical fitness after a difficult and injury-riddled season.
Neymar on Brazil's roster after a 3-year absence
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star and current Santos striker has not worn the Brazil national team shirt in any official match since October 2023 due to the curse of repeated injuries that threatened to end his international career early. However, the determination of the player, who has only made 15 appearances for Santos this season, convinced Ancelotti of his ability to provide a technical addition and leadership spirit in the dressing rooms.
With this exceptional call-up, Brazil's all-time top scorer (79 goals) is preparing to compete in the World Cup for the fourth time in his towering professional career, after defending his country's colours in the 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions, this time in search of the missing sixth star and a finale befitting his last World Cup dance in North American stadiums.
Ancelotti relied on the experienced players in the squad that is preparing to face Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in Group C, as he relies on the duo of Fabinho and Casemiro in midfield and defender Marquinhos.
At the top of the list were Real Madrid striker Vinicius and his teammate Endrick, who spent the second half of the season on loan to Olympique Lyonnais of France, along with Barcelona winger Raphinha.
Full List
Brazil's list for the 2026 World Cup is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Everton (Gremio).
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Premier (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel (Arsenal), Roger Ibanez (Al Ahly), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Wesley (Roma).
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Etihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo).
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luis Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Neymar (Santos), Raphinha (Barcelona), Ryan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid).
Brazil's upcoming matches
Brazil will play two friendlies before the start of the World Cup, and then start its campaign in Group C, which includes Morocco, Haiti and Scotland, according to the approved time in Mecca and Damascus (GMT+3).
The Seleção's preparations will begin against Panama at dawn on Sunday, May 31 at 00:30 am, and then meet Egypt on Saturday evening, June 6 at 23:00.
In the World Cup, Brazil will kick off its campaign against Morocco at dawn on Sunday, June 14 at 01:00 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and then face Haiti at dawn on Saturday, June 20 at 03:30 at Lincoln Financial Field in Pennsylvania.
They will conclude their group stage matches against Scotland at dawn on Thursday 25 June at 01:00 at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.