Carlo Ancelotti has named his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, with Neymar included despite ongoing fitness concerns, while João Pedro has been left out of the final group.
The selection confirms Neymar’s return to the biggest stage in international football, with the forward set to feature at his fourth World Cup for Brazil national football team.
The former Barcelona and PSG star remains Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals and has already made a major impact in World Cup history with eight goals and three assists across previous tournaments.
Ancelotti’s decision was widely anticipated by fans, who had been waiting to see whether the veteran attacker would be trusted for another global campaign.
Neymar also sits among the most productive players in World Cup history, behind only legends such as Ronaldo, Pelé and Jairzinho in Brazil’s scoring charts.
There was also a place for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, despite his recent injury absence, while 19-year-old Endrick was included as part of Brazil’s new generation. However, João Pedro was a notable omission despite an impressive Premier League campaign.
The forward has been one of the most productive attacking players in England this season, registering 20 goal contributions, but it was not enough to secure a spot in Ancelotti’s final squad.
Brazil’s attacking options remain stacked, with Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha, Luis Henrique and Igor Thiago all included in a strong forward line.
The Selecao will head into the tournament as one of the favourites, having qualified for their 23rd World Cup appearance. They remain the most successful nation in the competition’s history with five titles and a record win rate of 67 percent.
Brazil have been drawn in Group C, where they will face Morocco, Haiti and Scotland as they aim to reclaim the World Cup trophy for the first time since 2002.
Ancelotti’s final squad reflects a blend of experience and youth as Brazil prepare for another serious push on the global stage.
Full Brazil squad:
Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio);
Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Gabriel (Arsenal), Roger Ibanez (Al-Ahi), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Wesley (Roma);
Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo);
Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luis Henrique (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Neymar (Santos), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).
