Carlo Ancelotti announced Brazil’s FIFA World Cup 2026 squad on May 18 in Rio de Janeiro, with Neymar Junior the name that dominated the room. The Italian coach read the list at the Museum of Tomorrow, ending weeks of speculation over whether the forward would feature at all.
Neymar had not been called up since 2023 and was left out of Brazil’s March friendlies entirely. Hamstring and knee injuries cast doubt over his fitness throughout the past year, but the 34-year-old Santos man made his intentions clear – repeatedly – and Ancelotti has backed him for what will be his fourth World Cup.
Alongside Neymar, the squad includes Vinicius Jr., Raphinha, and Gabriel Martinelli, the last of whom joins Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães as Champions League finalists in this year’s FIFA World Cup 2026. Alisson, Ederson, and Weverton share the goalkeeping duties, while the midfield features Lucas Paquetá, Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, and Fabinho.
“We will have a list from which we can develop quality football, with a collective spirit. The perfect list isn’t there, 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,” Ancelotti said in a statement.
Brazil open Group C against Morocco on June 13 at New York New Jersey Stadium, then face Haiti in Philadelphia on June 19, before closing the group stage against Scotland in Miami on June 24.
The squad announcement follows the Brazilian Football Confederation’s confirmation earlier this month of a contract extension for Ancelotti through the 2030 World Cup.
Brazil are the tournament’s most decorated side with five titles, though their last came in 2002. The source notes an unusual symmetry: the 1970 and 1994 titles were also separated by 24 years, with the drought ending on American soil – the same country that will host the 2026 final.
All squads remain provisional until FIFA’s official submission deadline of June 2.
Brazil’s full 26-man squad
- Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Weverton
- Defenders: Alex Sandro, Bremer, Danilo, Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhães, Ibañez, Leo Pereira, Marquinhos, Wesley
- Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Danilo Santos, Fabinho, Lucas Paquetá
- Forwards: Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Thiago, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, Neymar Junior, Raphinha, Rayan, Vinicius Junior
