Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has firmly stated his decision to include Neymar Jr. in the squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America, expressing no regrets despite the star player’s current injury. The seasoned Italian coach also confirmed that there are no immediate plans to replace Neymar on the roster, emphasizing his commitment to the selected player.
Despite his inclusion in the squad, Neymar has been sidelined from training sessions since May 17, following an injury sustained while training with Santos FC. This call-up marks Neymar’s first return to the national team setup since October 2023, when a serious hamstring injury kept him out of contention for several months.
While Neymar has experienced significant periods away from national team duty due to various injuries, Ancelotti’s decision to include the 33-year-old forward in the final 26-player roster for the 2026 World Cup reflects a continued belief in his abilities and importance to the squad. Following this recent injury, the Brazilian medical team conducted a thorough assessment of the national team’s all-time leading scorer. Their findings indicate that Neymar could be sidelined for an estimated two to three weeks. Despite this setback, the Italian coach reiterated his stance, confirming that the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player would not be withdrawn from the team.
Addressing the situation, Ancelotti was quoted saying, “My philosophy is that if I’ve selected a part, it must contribute to a good ‘car.’ Since I made the decision to pick the team, Neymar Jr. is the 26th player on that list, and that’s final. We anticipate he will be able to recover in time for the first World Cup match. Even if he recovers for the first game and then picks up another injury for the second, we have no problem with that decision.”
Ancelotti further solidified his position, confirming that he has no intention of altering his chosen squad and that all selected players are expected to participate in Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
Brazil is set to compete in Group C of the tournament, where they will face formidable opponents including African powerhouse Morocco, followed by matches against Haiti and Scotland.
