Neymar is getting closer to the 2026 World Cup. The Santos attacker was included by Carlo Ancelotti in the pre-list of 55 players who made the first cut for the Brazilian National Team ahead of the World Cup to be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Neymar’s inclusion represents an important signal from the Italian coach about his intentions to consider him for the world’s most important tournament, although the official list has not yet been formally published.
The last time Neymar wore the Canarinha shirt was on October 17, 2023 in a match against Uruguay in the Qualifiers, a duel in which he suffered a torn cruciate ligament that kept him away from the field for almost three years. So far this season the forward has played 13 games between the Brasileirao, the Paulista Tournament, the Brazilian Cup and the Copa Sudamericana, scoring six goals and distributing two assists in what has been a progressive return to his best level with Santos.
Brazil’s pre-list also registered significant losses. To the already known absences of Rodrygo and Militao, both from Real Madrid with long-term injuries, was added that of Estevao, the 18-year-old promise who plays for Chelsea and who will not be able to be in the tournament. Despite these losses, the inclusion of Neymar in the first cut excites Brazilian fans who hope to see the Santos star compete in what could be his last World Cup at a professional level.
A long-awaited return
Neymar’s possible presence in the 2026 World Cup has generated debate in Brazilian football. Figures like Romario have publicly defended his call-up, arguing that the attacker can make the difference in a tournament of this magnitude, while Ancelotti had previously indicated that he would only call up players who were at one hundred percent of their physical condition. His inclusion in the pre-list suggests that the Italian coach considers that the Santista is in a position to compete at the highest level in the World Cup event that starts on June 11.
Brazil will debut in the 2026 World Cup on June 15 in Group A and the possible presence of Neymar in the team would add a special ingredient to the Canarinha’s participation in a tournament that will be played on American soil for the first time since the 1994 World Cup in the United States, precisely the tournament in which Brazil conquered its fourth world star.
The Preliminary of the Brazilian National Team
- Archers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Bento (Al-Nassr), John (Nottingham Forest) and Hugo Souza (Corinthians).
- Central defenders: Marquinhos (PSG), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Ibañez (Añ-Ahli), Danilo (Flamengo), Beraldo (PSG), Léo Pereira (Flamengo) and Fabrício Bruno (Cruzeiro).
- Sides: Wesley (Roma), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Vitinho (Botafogo), Caio Henrique (Monaco) and Carlos Augusto (Inter).
- Midfielders: Casemiro (Manchester United), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), João Gomes (Wolverhampton), Joelinton (Newcastle), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Danilo (Botafogo), Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray) and Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo).
- Attackers: Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), João Pedro (Chelsae), Richarlison (Tottenham), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Rayan (Bournemouth), Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Pedro (Flamengo), Endrick (Lyon), Antony (Betis) and Neymar (Santos).