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One of the most electric players of his generation will return for one last chance at World Cup glory.
Neymar has been called up to represent Brazil at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with manager Carlo Ancelotti calling the 34-year-old forward in the 26-man squad. The Italian coach taken over in May 2025 only summoned Neymar on Monday.
This will be Neymar’s fourth World Cup after his debut in 2014, hosted in his native country. He helped win Olympic gold in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and is Brazil’s top men’s scorer with 79 goals. But Neymar has struggled to return to peak fitness since tearing his left ACL in October 2023.
Neymar emerged at Santos as one of football’s brightest talents, winning domestic titles and the 2011 Copa Libertadores. He joined Barcelona in 2013 and won the 2015 UEFA Champions League. In 2017, Neymar transferred to Paris Saint-Germain for a record fee, collecting multiple league titles despite recurring injuries. A brief stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal then followed him back to his boyhood club, Santos.
Ancelotti’s team also includes, as expected, the main Brazilian players of recent years, Real Madrid striker Vinícius Júnior and Barcelona striker Raphinha.
Brazil’s 26 players:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint Petersburg)
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), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth).
