Brazilian superstar Neymar has been recalled to the national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a near three-year absence from international duty in a dramatic return that headlines Brazil’s 26-man squad.
The squad was announced on Monday by head coach Carlo Ancelotti at a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, where Neymar’s inclusion drew loud cheers from fans and officials.
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, had not featured for the national team since suffering a serious knee injury during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in 2023.
Persistent injuries and inconsistent form had previously kept the 34-year-old forward out of Ancelotti’s plans, including omission from Brazil’s March friendly matches against France and Croatia.
However, after returning to his boyhood club Santos in January, Neymar has regained fitness and earned a place in the squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Brazil will open their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13, before facing Haiti and Scotland in Group C.
The squad features several key stars across Europe’s top leagues, including Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, and Casemiro, as Brazil aim to win a record sixth World Cup title.
Coach Ancelotti’s selection blends experience and youth, with Neymar’s return seen as a major boost to Brazil’s attacking depth and leadership ahead of the tournament.
The full squad includes players from top clubs across England, Spain, Italy, France, and Saudi Arabia, reflecting Brazil’s continued global talent pool.
Neymar’s inclusion marks one of the most closely watched international comebacks in recent years, as Brazil look to reclaim football’s biggest prize.
