Brazil will invite Neymar to the World Cup 2026 | Football News

Brazil superstar Neymar has called up the 2026 World Cup as Carlo Ancelotti takes his first turn.

Neymar has made the Brazil team in the World Cup, the choice of many local experts and former players who considered it impossible in the past days.

The 34-year-old is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer in the 79-year-old, but has struggled to return to fitness since tearing his left ACL in October 2023.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad also includes, as expected, Brazil’s biggest players in recent years, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha.

The Italian coach, who took over in May 2025, had not called up Neymar until Monday’s announcement.

Ancelotti extended his contract with the Brazilian Football Confederation last week until the 2030 World Cup, but he has struggled for Brazil so far, with many injured players left out of his World Cup squad. Strikers Rodrygo and Estevao will be sorely missed in North America.

Brazil squad for World Cup 2026:

• Scorers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)
• Protectors: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg)
• Middle players: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo)
• Players: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth).