The question that has dominated Brazilian football for nearly three years finally has a tentative answer. Neymar Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, the player who carried the weight of an entire nation’s football dreams for a decade has been named in Brazil’s 55-man preliminary squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the inclusion this week, setting up one of the most dramatic final selection stories in World Cup history.
This is not a guarantee. The final 26-man squad will be announced on May 18. Between now and then, Neymar must prove to one of football’s greatest managers that he deserves a place on the plane to North America. At 34 years old, with two serious knee operations behind him and no Brazil appearance since October 2023, this is genuinely his last shot at football’s greatest stage.
The entire football world is watching. Here is everything you need to know.
The Comeback Story From ACL Nightmare to World Cup Hope
To understand what Neymar’s potential World Cup return means, you have to understand just how dark the last two and a half years have been.
On October 18, 2023, Neymar was playing for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay when he suffered a complete rupture of his ACL one of the most serious injuries in football. He was 31 years old and had just transferred to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia for enormous money. The injury kept him out for nearly a year.
He returned to Al-Hilal but nothing worked. The form was not there. The fitness was fragile. The confidence was shattered. After limited appearances and a second knee surgery, Neymar made the dramatic decision in early 2026 to return home to Santos the club where his career began, the club where he first showed the world what he could do as a teenager.
And at Santos, something changed. Since returning to Santos, Neymar has shown clear improvement and become a decisive player in 12 matches he recorded five goals and three assists while becoming one of the key figures for the Brazilian club which has climbed the standings in the Brazil
The most recent evidence came on May 5, 2026 just days before Ancelotti submitted the preliminary squad. In a Copa Sudamericana match against Deportivo Recoleta, Neymar scored, drew nine fouls and earned an 8.8 match rating with Man of the Match honours. Santos coach Cuca said afterwards: “Neymar is improving with every game.”
That performance combined with consistent club form gave Ancelotti enough justification to keep the door open.
What Did Ancelotti Say?
Carlo Ancelotti has been refreshingly honest about how difficult this decision is. In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Ancelotti said: “Neymar is an important player for this country because of the talent he has always shown. He has had some problems, and he is working hard to recover. He has improved a lot recently and is playing regularly. Obviously, for me it’s not an easy decision. We have to carefully weigh the pros and cons, but that doesn’t put pressure on me. We’ve been evaluating not only Neymar, but all the players, for a year now.”
The inclusion comes as a surprise to some, given Ancelotti’s recent stance on player fitness. Earlier this year, Ancelotti held firm after he said only players at 100% physical capacity would be part of the roster. When Neymar’s name was omitted from the March friendlies against France and Croatia, many feared the sun had set on his international career.
But Ancelotti went further and addressed the most important question directly would Neymar’s presence disrupt the squad’s harmony? “I don’t believe the internal environment will affect the team at all. The environment is very positive, very calm, and no matter which player is in the squad, it will remain positive and calm until the end. But I can’t control the external environment and what the media says. The internal environment is under control and will remain so until the end, with or without Neymar. This influences the point I just mentioned: knowing that if I bring Neymar into this group, the group will be fine because he is very well-liked by everyone.”
His assistant Davide Ancelotti was more direct: “If he’s on that list, it’s because his physical condition is improving. Then, until May 18, we’ll reduce the list to the 26 who will travel to the United States.”
Even the President of Brazil Got Involved
This is how big the Neymar story is in Brazil. The debate over Neymar’s inclusion reached the highest levels of Brazilian society, with Ancelotti even consulting President Lula, who questioned the player’s professional motivation. Lula noted: “I had the chance to speak with Ancelotti, and he asked me: ‘Do you think Neymar should be called up?’ I said: ‘Look, Ancelotti, if he’s physically fit, he’s got the football. What I need to know is whether he actually wants it.’ If he does, then he has to be professional. He can look at someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, he can look at Messi, and still go to the national team, because he’s not old yet. But he can’t expect to go just on his name. He has to earn it on the pitch.”
The President of Brazil commenting publicly on a player’s motivation before a World Cup selection that is how much Neymar means to his country.
The Controversy The Training Ground Incident
Just when everything seemed to be going Neymar’s way, a new controversy emerged. During a Santos training session on May 4, Neymar slapped 18-year-old teammate Robinho Jr the son of former Brazil and Real Madrid winger Robinho after the youngster dribbled past him in a drill.
The incident spread across social media within hours. Robinho Jr accepted the apology: “Everything is resolved. He’s been my idol since I was 8.”
The incident is technically resolved. But a 34-year-old slapping a teenager weeks before a World Cup squad decision is not a good look especially with a manager who values squad discipline as highly as Ancelotti does.
Ancelotti has not commented on the incident publicly. But it adds another layer to an already complicated decision.
Messi, Ronaldinho and Casemiro Are All Backing Him
Football’s biggest names have made their feelings clear. Messi said he “can’t be very objective, he’s a friend of mine” but added that football is always more enjoyable when Neymar is present in major international competitions. Ronaldinho and Casemiro have also publicly backed his inclusion.
Even Lionel Messi, who faces Neymar’s Brazil in the group stage on June 13 with Argentina, wants his old teammate at the tournament. That speaks to the universal respect Neymar commands even among rivals.
Brazil’s Full Attack Options The Competition for Neymar’s Place
This is where Neymar’s path to the final 26 becomes genuinely difficult. Brazil have extraordinary attacking depth. The forwards named in the provisional squad include Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), JoÃo Pedro (Chelsea), Endrick (Lyon), Rayan (Bournemouth), Antony (Real Betis), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Pedro (Flamengo), Richarlison (Tottenham), Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest), Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro) and Neymar (Santos).
That is 15 attacking players competing for approximately 7 to 8 forward spots in the final 26. The competition is brutal. Vinicius Jr is untouchable. Raphinha is first choice. Matheus Cunha has been exceptional. Endrick is the exciting young talent Ancelotti loves. Richarlison brings physical presence.
Where does Neymar fit? Ancelotti plays without a traditional number 9 his system is built on speed, interchanging positions and pressing. Neymar at 34 playing in the Santos does not naturally fit this profile. But what Neymar offers a set-piece threat, the ability to unlock tight knockout games in the final third and sheer tournament experience is something none of the others can replicate.
The Verdict Will Neymar Make the Final 26?
This would be Neymar’s fourth World Cup appearance for Brazil. His last match with the national team came on October 18, 2023 against Uruguay the night of the ACL injury that changed everything.
The honest assessment: Neymar will make the squad, but only just. The preliminary inclusion is not a guarantee it is Ancelotti giving him a final window to prove he is ready. Neymar is slated to play two more games for Santos across Copa do Brasil and the Brasileirão before Ancelotti confirms the final 26-man squad on May 18. Those two matches are his audition for the world stage.
Our verdict: Neymar makes the 26 as the last forward named, with a clearly defined role as an impact substitute. Ancelotti is pragmatic enough to see the tactical value and experienced enough to manage the ego. But if Neymar picks up even a minor knock between now and May 18, the door closes permanently.
This is, as Neymar himself has said, his last shot and his last chance.
What This Means for the Morocco vs Brazil Match
For Arab football fans, Neymar’s potential presence in the Brazil squad has a direct impact on the most anticipated Arab World Cup match Morocco vs Brazil on June 13 at MetLife Stadium.
Morocco beat Brazil in a 2023 friendly. They are ranked 8th in the world. Their defensive discipline built around Achraf Hakimi and Sofyan Amrabat is world class. But a Brazil squad with Neymar available off the bench alongside Vinicius Jr, Raphinha and Matheus Cunha is a different proposition than one without him.
If Morocco hold Brazil for 70 minutes and Neymar comes off the bench with 20 minutes to go, that single substitution changes the entire dynamic of the match. His ability to create something from nothing in tight spaces could be exactly what Brazil need to unlock Morocco’s deep block in a crucial group stage match.
For Morocco fans and Arab fans generally hope Neymar does not make the squad. For Brazil fans and neutrals hope he does. The debate alone makes the Morocco vs Brazil match even more fascinating.
Need to Know About FIFA WORLD CUP 2026
Is Neymar playing at World Cup 2026?
Neymar has been named in Brazil’s 55-man preliminary squad for World Cup 2026 by coach Carlo Ancelotti. The final 26-man squad will be announced on May 18. Neymar has not played for Brazil since October 2023 when he suffered an ACL injury against Uruguay. His inclusion in the preliminary squad keeps his World Cup dream alive but does not guarantee a place in the final squad.
Why was Neymar left out of Brazil’s recent matches?
Neymar was omitted from Brazil’s March 2026 friendlies against France and Croatia because he was still recovering from two serious knee injuries sustained in 2023 and 2024. Ancelotti had stated he would only call up players at 100% physical fitness. Since returning to Santos, Neymar has improved significantly scoring 5 goals and adding 3 assists in 12 appearances which prompted his inclusion in the preliminary World Cup squad.
When will Brazil’s final World Cup 2026 squad be announced?
Carlo Ancelotti will announce Brazil’s final 26-man World Cup squad on May 18, 2026. This is the deadline set by FIFA for all teams to submit their final rosters. Neymar has two more Santos matches before that date to prove his fitness and form to Ancelotti.
How old is Neymar and is this his last World Cup?
Neymar is 34 years old and will turn 35 in February 2027. If selected for World Cup 2026, this will be his fourth World Cup appearance for Brazil after 2010, 2014 and 2018. He missed most of the 2022 tournament with injury. Given his age and injury history this is almost certainly his last realistic opportunity to play at a World Cup.
Who are Brazil’s key players at World Cup 2026?
Brazil’s most important players are Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) and Rodrygo who has been ruled out with injury. Neymar’s potential inclusion as an impact substitute adds another dimension. Brazil are priced at approximately +800 to win the tournament and face Morocco, Scotland and Haiti in Group C.
What group is Brazil in at World Cup 2026?
Brazil are in Group C at the FIFA World Cup 2026 alongside Morocco, Scotland and Haiti. Their most anticipated match is against Morocco on June 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey a rematch of a 2023 friendly that Morocco won 2-1. Brazil are strong favourites to top the group.
Conclusion
Neymar’s inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup 2026 preliminary squad is one of the great comeback stories of football. From ACL surgery to training ground controversy to a presidential debate no player heading into this tournament carries more complexity, more history or more emotional weight than Brazil’s number 10.
May 18 is the date that decides everything. Two Santos matches between now and then. Two chances to show Ancelotti that the talent, the fitness and the hunger are all still there.
Neymar has been to four World Cups. He has scored goals, created magic and broken hearts. He has never won it. This may be the last chance.
The world is watching, Ney. Make it count.
Who will win World Cup 2026? Read: World Cup 2026 Favourites to Win Top 10 Predictions
Morocco face Brazil on June 13 read: Morocco vs Brazil World Cup 2026 Preview
Do you think Neymar should be in Brazil’s final 26-man squad? Tell us in the comments YES or NO