Carlo Ancelotti has announced Brazil’s squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, with superstar Neymar making the cut. The Italian coach read out the squad list during an event at the Museum of Tomorrow, a major tourist attraction in Rio de Janeiro.
Many questions surrounded whether Ancelotti would include Neymar Jr., especially after leaving him off the roster for March’s friendlies. The 34-year-old Santos forward had not been called up by Brazil since 2023, but has consistently expressed his desperation to feature in the tournament, despite struggling with hamstring and knee injuries over the past year.
In the end, Neymar’s wish will come true he will play in his fourth World Cup after having his name called, much to the delight of those in attendance.
Goalkeepers
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Alisson | Liverpool |
| Ederson | Manchester City |
| Weverton | Palmeiras |
Defenders
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Alex Sandro | Flamengo |
| Bremer | Juventus |
| Danilo | Flamengo |
| Douglas Santos | Zenit Saint Petersburg |
| Gabriel Magalhães | Arsenal |
| Ibañez | Al-Ahli |
| Leo Pereira | Flamengo |
| Marquinhos | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Wesley | Internacional |
Midfielders
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Bruno Guimarães | Newcastle United |
| Casemiro | Manchester United |
| Danilo Santos | Nottingham Forest |
| Fabinho | Al-Ittihad |
| Lucas Paquetá | West Ham United |
Forwards
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Endrick | Real Madrid |
| Gabriel Martinelli | Arsenal |
| Igor Thiago | Brentford |
| Luiz Henrique | Zenit Saint Petersburg |
| Matheus Cunha | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| Neymar Jr. | Santos |
| Raphinha | Barcelona |
| Rayan | Vasco da Gama |
| Vinícius Jr. | Real Madrid |
Alongside Neymar, other stars such as Vinícius Jr. and Raphinha were confirmed, as were Marquinhos, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Magalhães three finalists in the current UEFA Champions League season. (Source: fifa.com)
Brazil is the most successful team in FIFA World Cup™ history with five titles (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002), but have not won the World Cup in 24 years. Interestingly, the 1970 and 1994 titles also had a 24-year gap and that drought ended in 1994 with victory in the United States, the country that will host the 2026 final.
Seleção brasileira para a Copa do Mundo de 2026
Brazil kicks off their Group C campaign against Morocco on 13 June at New York New Jersey. The Seleção then head to Philadelphia, where they face Haiti on 19 June, before closing the group stage on 24 June against Scotland in Miami.
The squad announcement comes just days after the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed a contract extension for Ancelotti that will run through the 2030 FIFA World Cup™.
“We will have a list from which we can develop quality football, with a collective spirit,” said Ancelotti prior to announcing the squad. “The perfect list doesn’t exist, I’m sure. I have to say that the perfect team won’t win the World Cup a perfect team doesn’t exist. I think a more resilient team can win. We want to be the most resilient team in the world.
“I’m not afraid to say that we want to win the World Cup, because there are high expectations. Motivation is an important aspect in preparing for this World Cup.”
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