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One of the most electric players of his generation will return for one last chance at World Cup glory.
Neymar has been called up to represent Brazil at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and coach Carlo Ancelotti has named the 34-year-old striker as part of the 26-man squad. The Italian coach who took over in May 2025 had not called up Neymar until Monday.
This will be Neymar’s fourth World Cup after his debut in 2014, which was held in his native country. He helped win Olympic gold in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and is Brazil’s top men’s scorer with 79 goals. But Neymar has struggled to return to full fitness since rupturing his left ACL in October 2023.
Neymar emerged at Santos as one of football’s brightest talents, winning national titles and the 2011 Copa Libertadores. He joined Barcelona in 2013 and won the UEFA Champions League in 2015. In 2017, Neymar transferred to Paris Saint-Germain for a world record fee, claiming multiple league titles despite recurring injuries. After a brief spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal, he returned to his childhood club Santos.
Ancelotti’s 26-man squad also includes, unsurprisingly, Brazil’s top players of recent years, Real Madrid striker Vinícius Júnior and Barcelona striker Raphinha.
Brazil’s 26-player squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibáñez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint Petersburg)
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth).
