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Neymar and Raphinha shared an emotional moment of celebration following the announcement of Brazil’s selection for the 2026 World Cup.
The legendary striker, whose inclusion had been the subject of intense speculation, was seen in tears as he connected with his close friend and Barcelona star to process the news.
An emotional call between stars
The bond between Brazil’s biggest stars was on full display this week after Carlo Ancelotti officially confirmed his squad for the upcoming tournament.
Barcelona striker Raphinha was among the first to contact Neymar, launching a video call that captured the veteran striker’s raw emotion.
After months of debate about his fitness and his role within the national team, the confirmation of his place in the team clearly meant a lot to the former Paris Saint-Germain player.
In a clip shared on social media, Neymar Jr was in tears as he spoke to Raphinha, highlighting the unity within the Seleção camp.
The veteran is expected to lead a talented frontline as Brazil looks to end its long wait for a sixth world title on North American grounds.
Neymar’s bold promise for 2026
Despite the tears, it didn’t take long for Neymar’s characteristic confidence to shine through during the conversation.
He used the opportunity to send a message of defiance to the rest of the world, making it clear that he believed this was Brazil’s year.
“Thank you Raphinha for everything. From the bottom of my heart you know the affection I have for you. Everything will be fine, we will WIN the damn thing,” the striker said during the emotional exchange.
This interaction highlights the leadership role Neymar continues to play, even as young stars like Raphinha take on bigger roles at club level in Barcelona.
The video, originating from the Neymar Jr channel on YouTube, quickly went viral among fans eager to see if the Santos star can finally win the trophy that has eluded his illustrious career.
Surprise omissions and team depth
Although the focus remained on Neymar’s return, the team’s announcement was not without controversy.
Perhaps the biggest shock was Joao Pedro’s exclusion from Chelsea.
The striker enjoyed a prolific campaign in the Premier League and was heavily linked with a possible move to Barcelona, but Ancelotti opted for other profiles when making his final selection for the summer tournament.
With Neymar and Raphinha confirmed as the duo to watch, the pressure will be immense on the five-time champions to perform from kick-off in June.
The road ahead for the Seleção
Brazil’s group stage run looks manageable on paper, but they will need to do their best to avoid any early scares.
They are expected to face Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in the opening phase of the competition.
The team is scheduled to meet at Granja Comary on May 27 before playing a farewell friendly against Panama at the Maracana on May 31.
This will be the last chance for fans to see the team at home before they depart for the United States on June 1.
Brazil will face Egypt in a final warm-up match in Cleveland on June 6, before its tournament opener against Morocco in New Jersey on June 13.
FIFA World Cup 2026: how to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34), with each game streamed live and on-demand in the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, will be broadcast in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will be streamed for free on Tubi, along with the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
