Neymar will play in his fourth World Cup: called up by Ancelotti

The coach of the Brazil national team, Carlo Ancelottiannounced this Monday the 26 players who will represent the five-time champion in the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The surprise of the day came from the inclusion of Neymar Juniorwho will play his fourth competition despite not having been part of the process led by the Italian at the head of the Canarinha.

The presence of the 34-year-old attacker marks his fourth participation in the most important football tournament after the 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions. After several previous calls in which he was not considered by the Italian coach, the player He maintained his preparation with the aim of returning to the national team and securing a place in the World Cup.

During the last few months, Neymar focused on recovering physically. At the end of 2025 he underwent arthroscopy on his left knee, shortly after help Santos avoid relegation in the Brazilian Championship. Between the end of March and the beginning of April of this year, he took advantage of the FIFA break to perform regenerative treatment on the same leg.

The return of an experienced figure and the 26 summoned

Although his recent performance in Santos has not been at the level of his best years in Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain, The forward arrives with competitive activity. In the semester he played 15 games, with six goals and four assists.

In a Brazilian team that is going through a stage with fewer established figures than in other cycles, the inclusion of Neymar adds experience in international tournaments. Along with names like Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha, he will be one of the references of the squad that will seek to end a 24-year drought without winning a world title:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Grêmio).

Defenders: Marquinhos (PSG), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Ibáñez (Al Ahli), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Wesley (Roma), Danilo (Flamengo), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit).

Midfielders: Casemiro (Manchester United), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Fabinho (Al Ittihad), Danilo (Botafogo), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo).

Attackers: Neymar (Santos), Vinicius Jr. (Staunch Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Endrick (Lyon), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Rayan (Bournemouth).

Brazil’s first matches in the tournament

The Brazilian team will debut on June 13 against Morocco at MetLife Stadium, located in New York/New Jersey.

Then he will face Haiti on June 20 at the Lincoln Monetary Enviornment. The group stage will close on June 24 against Scotland at Arduous Rock Stadium.

With his official call-up now, Neymar will have the opportunity to lead a new generation of Brazil in the most important competition on the international calendar.

Keep reading:
· Johan Vásquez scores a goal in a Mexican duel against AC Milan; Santi Giménez still hasn’t broken his drought
· Messi continues to lead the list of the highest paid in the MLS
· The Mexican team closes the second week of preparation for the 2026 World Cup with intensity and doubts