Neymar named to Brazil World Cup squad amid injury comeback drama

When Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti read the World Cup roster aloud, one name drew the loudest cheers: Neymar Jr.

After months of fitness uncertainty, the 34-year-old forward secured a spot in Brazil’s 26-man squad for the tournament in North America, which starts June 11.

His return to the national team after a two-and-a-half-year absence has been marked by both excitement and skepticism.

Here is what to know about Neymar’s surprise call-up.

Ancelotti said he selected Neymar among nine attackers after noting his improved fitness.

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, had been considered a doubtful selection after injuries kept him out for much of the qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, where Brazil seeks a record sixth title.

“We evaluated Neymar throughout the year and noticed that recently he has been playing consistently and has improved his physical condition,” Ancelotti told reporters Monday at the squad announcement in Rio de Janeiro.

“He has the same role and responsibilities as everyone else, but he is an experienced player. It’s true that in some positions we prioritised experience,” Ancelotti said.

Neymar struggled to regain top fitness after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear in October 2023. His injury-plagued stint at Saudi club Al Hilal and a lackluster return to boyhood team Santos last year further clouded his chances.

Whether Ancelotti would call him up became a national debate. Only time will tell if the decision backfires or proves a masterstroke.

Neymar’s veteran presence and major tournament experience could benefit the dressing room, but doubts persist about his ability to withstand the demands of an expanded World Cup.

Earlier this week, Neymar made global headlines for a different reason: a substitution error during a Santos game left him angry, and videos of the incident went viral.

Despite being away from the national team since late 2023, Neymar remains beloved by Brazilian fans and players.

As the squad was announced, hundreds of fans gathered outside Rio de Janeiro’s Museum of Tomorrow, holding phones and waiting anxiously for Ancelotti to name their idol.

When Neymar’s inclusion was confirmed, a party atmosphere spread across parts of the football-crazed South American nation.

Players have also voiced support for Neymar.

Former Brazil defender Marcelo celebrated Neymar’s selection with an Instagram post, punching the air after seeing the news on TV. Barcelona star Raphinha, also called up, told TV Globo earlier this month that Neymar is “the guy to take us to our sixth World Cup title.”

Captain Marquinhos led public lobbying for Neymar, telling Brazilian website UOL in March, “As teammates, as Brazilians and as fans, we want him at the World Cup.”

On Tuesday, Pedro was named Chelsea’s player of the 2025-26 season but did not make the Brazil squad announced a day earlier. The versatile forward was omitted along with Richarlison, while Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Estevao missed out due to injuries.

The 2026 tournament will be Neymar’s fourth World Cup.

He played in the 2014 edition on home soil, followed by Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. In 13 World Cup games, he has scored eight goals and provided four assists.

He is also Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, surpassing legend Pele, who held the record for 60 years.

Will this be Neymar’s last World Cup? Probably.

Given his injury history, declining skills and age—he will be 38 by the 2030 tournament—it is unlikely he will play in another.

His four goals and two assists in the Brazilian Serie A 2026, after returning from surgery in February, are far from his peak form when he won two La Liga titles and a Champions League with Barcelona, plus five Ligue 1 crowns with Paris Saint-Germain.