Magician Neymar jr included in the 26-man squad.
Neymar jr finally returns to the National side. Carlo Ancelotti has chosen his 26-man Brazilian squad ahead of the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, highlighted by the selection of the veteran Neymar Jr.
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Carlo Ancelotti has announced the Brazil squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, with superstar Neymar jr making the cut.
The squad list was read by the Italian coach during an event at the Museum of Tomorrow, a major tourist attraction in Rio de Janeiro.
Many questions surrounded whether Ancelotti would include Neymar Jr. in the list, especially after leaving him off the roster for their friendlies in March. The 34-year-old Santos man had not been called up by Brazil since 2023, but has consistently expressed his desperation to go to the tournament, despite struggling with hamstring and knee injuries over the last year.
In the end, Neymar’s wish will come true, as he will play in his fourth World Cup after having his name called, much to the delight of those in attendance.
In addition to Neymar, other stars such as Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha were confirmed, as were Marquinhos, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Magalhaes – three finalists in the current edition of the UEFA Champions League.
Brazil is the most successful team in the history of the FIFA World Cup™, with five titles (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002), but hasn’t won the World Cup in 24 years. Interestingly, the 1970 and 1994 titles also had a 24-year gap – and the drought ended in 1994 with the title won in the USA, the country that will host the 2026 final.
Neymar Jr.’s performance in 2025
In January 2025, Neymar Jr. completed an emotional return to his boyhood club, Santos FC. This transfer followed a lengthy injury layoff during his brief stint with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. Over the course of the 2025 campaign, Neymar proved he still possessed his signature flair. He made 20 appearances in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, starting 13 matches, scoring 8 goals, and providing 1 assist.
He also logged 2 goals and an assist during the Campeonato Paulista earlier in the year. His creative playmaking remained highly effective, as he created 7 big chances and registered 46 key passes. Despite facing aggressive defense—which led to 57 fouls on him—he completed 26 successful dribbles and earned an impressive overall Sofascore rating of 7.43. This resurgence prompted him to extend his Santos contract through 2026, positioning him to secure a spot in Brazil’s World Cup squad.
Neymar jr in the past World Cup
Neymar Jr. has played in three FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022), maintaining an elite individual record despite suffering dramatic injuries and team heartbreaks. In his 13 total World Cup appearances, Neymar has recorded 8 goals and 4 assists, averaging nearly one goal contribution per game.
🏆 World Cup Performance Summary
| Tournament [1, 2, 3, 4] | Matches | Goals | Assists | Team Finish | Key Moments & Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Brazil | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4th Place | Fractured vertebra in Quarter-finals |
| 2018 Russia | 5 | 2 | 1 | Quarter-finals | Recovering from a foot fracture |
| 2022 Qatar | 3 | 2 | 1 | Quarter-finals | Missed group games due to ankle injury |
| Total | 13 | 8 | 4 | — | 12 Total Goal Contributions |
2014 FIFA World Cup (Brazil)
Neymar jr carried the immense pressure of a home nation at just 22 years old and was the spark of the Brazilian team. He scored two goals in the opening match against Croatia and added another brace against Cameroon in the group stage. He also assisted in the tournament. During the Quarter-final match against Colombia, defender Juan Camilo Zúñiga kneed Neymar in the back, fracturing his vertebra. Neymar was sidelined, and a devastated Brazil suffered a historic 7-1 semi-final loss to Germany without him.
2018 FIFA World Cup (Russia)
Neymar jr arrived in Russia having just returned from a long-term foot surgery, lacking full match fitness. He scored against Costa Rica in the group stage and opened the scoring in a 2-0 win over Mexico in the Round of 16, where he also assisted Roberto Firmino. While he created numerous chances, he faced intense media criticism for his theatrics and rolling on the pitch when fouled. Brazil was eliminated in the Quarter-finals after a 2-1 defeat to Belgium.
2022 FIFA World Cup (Qatar)
This tournament showcased Neymar’s leadership, but his physical durability was tested immediately. He suffered a severe ankle sprain in the opening match against Serbia, forcing him to miss the remaining group stage games. He returned for the knockout rounds, scoring a penalty against South Korea.
In the Quarter-final against Croatia, Neymar scored a brilliant solo goal in extra time to equal Pelé’s official Brazilian scoring record. However, Croatia equalized late and knocked Brazil out on penalties before Neymar could even take his scheduled fifth spot-kick.