After weeks of suspense, Neymar will make his return to the Brazilian national team at this summer's World Cup. The nation’s all-time leading goalscorer was the focal point of Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad and could make his long-awaited return against Panama later this month, almost three years on from his last appearance.
Brazil’s Attack Is Filled With World-Class Talent
Uncertainty remains over Neymar’s fitness and place on the pitch, but he will have a plethora of attacking talent to share the stage with. After cementing themselves at the pinnacle of club football, wingers Raphinha and Vinicius Junior will be hoping to replicate their success on the international stage.
Brentford's Igor Thiago could line up as Brazil's number nine in their World Cup opener against Morocco in May, just three years after playing in the Bulgarian top flight. Only Erling Haaland has scored more than Thiago’s 22 Premier League goals this season.
Matheus Cunha, an Olympic gold medallist with Brazil, will be looking to carry his domestic form into this summer's tournament after helping Manchester United qualify for the Champions in his debut season at Old Trafford
Carlo Ancelotti Continues Brazil’s Squad Evolution
Since his appointment last year, Ancelotti has been eager to integrate more domestic talent into the Brazilian squad, a theme that will continue in North America this summer. Neymar will be joined by six others from Brazil’s Serie A including long-serving defenders Alex Sandro and Danilo, as well as ex-West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
Teenage duo Endrick and Rayan are seen as the nation's next big things in the forward line, with their inexperience being compensated for by Fabinho joining Casemiro in the engine room.
Joao Pedro Among the Major Omissions
Joao Pedro is the most surprising omission from Ancelotti’s squad. The 24-year-old has been a regular feature since Ancelotti’s appointment, yet has fallen just short of a World Cup call-up despite scoring 15 Premier League goals this season.
The striker will be joined by Chelsea teammates Estevao and Andrey Santos as they watch from home this summer. A hamstring injury last month cast doubt over the former’s World Cup hopes, and it seems the tournament has come too soon for the exciting talent.
Bruno Guimaraes will be without his ever-present midfield partner Joelinton after the latter's poor spell of form, whilst Galatasaray's Gabriel Sara misses out through injury. Elsewhere, veteran defender Thiago Silva is absent from the Brazilian World Cup squad for the first time since 2006.
Brazil 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Paris Saint Germain), Wesley (Roma)
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Neymar (Santos), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vini Jr (Real Madrid)
