Carlo Ancelotti said Neymar’s place in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad will depend on fitness and form when he spoke to Reuters at the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. [1, 2, 3]
The Brazil coach said the 34-year-old forward remains an important figure, but years of injuries and an uneven return to Santos have made the decision difficult. Neymar is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, yet his route back to the squad has been clouded by doubts over his condition and consistency. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Ancelotti said Neymar has improved recently and is playing regularly, but he would still need to weigh the case carefully before Monday’s squad announcement. “Neymar is an important player for this country because of the talent he has always shown. But he has had problems and is working hard to recover,” Ancelotti said. “He has improved a lot recently and is playing regularly. It is, obviously, not such an easy decision for me. We have to weigh up the pros and cons carefully.” [1, 2]
He added that support inside the dressing room is not the issue, saying Neymar is well liked by teammates. “I know full well that Neymar is much loved, not only by the public but also by the players,” Ancelotti said. “It’s not as if I’m going to drop a bombshell in the dressing room. He’s very well-liked, he’s very much loved.” He said the final call was his alone. “But ultimately, the right person to make this decision, the one best placed to do so, is me.” [2, 4]
Ancelotti is expected to announce Brazil’s squad on Monday, with the 2026 World Cup due to start next month. [1, 2, 3, 4]
