Brazilian star Neymar has been recalled to the national team’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking his return to international football after almost three years away.
The 34-year-old forward was included in Brazil’s 26-man squad announced on Monday by head coach Carlo Ancelotti during a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.
Neymar’s selection drew loud reactions from fans at the event, with many seeing his return as one of the biggest talking points in Brazil’s squad announcement.
The Santos attacker, who remains Brazil’s all-time highest goalscorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, last played for the national team in 2023 before suffering a serious knee injury during a World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay.
Since then, recurring injuries and concerns over fitness kept him out of Brazil’s recent matches, including the March international friendlies against France and Croatia.
However, after returning to his boyhood club Santos earlier this year following an injury-plagued spell in Saudi Arabia, Neymar has now convinced Ancelotti he is fit enough to feature at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star will now prepare for his fourth World Cup appearance after previously representing Brazil at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
Brazil will begin their campaign in Group C against Morocco on June 13 before facing Haiti and Scotland.
The five-time world champions are chasing a record-extending sixth World Cup title.
Brazil’s 2026 World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers
• Alisson (Liverpool, England)
• Ederson (Fenerbahce, Turkey)
• Weverton (Gremio, Brazil)
Defenders
• Alex Sandro (Flamengo, Brazil)
• Danilo (Flamengo, Brazil)
• Leo Pereira (Flamengo, Brazil)
• Bremer (Juventus, Italy)
• Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg, Russia)
• Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal, England)
• Ibanez (Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia)
• Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
• Wesley (Roma, Italy)
Midfielders
• Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle, England)
• Casemiro (Manchester United, England)
• Danilo (Botafogo, Brazil)
• Fabinho (Al-Ittihad, Saudi Arabia)
• Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo, Brazil)
Forwards
• Endrick (Lyon, France)
• Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal, England)
• Igor Thiago (Brentford, England)
• Luiz Henrique (Zenit, Russia)
• Matheus Cunha (Manchester United, England)
• Neymar (Santos, Brazil)
• Raphinha (Barcelona, Spain)
• Rayan (Bournemouth, England)
• Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid, Spain)
(AFP)
