Carlo Ancelotti announced Brazil's 26-man World Cup squad at the Museu do Amanhã in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. Outside, fans chanted Neymar's name and held signs reading "Ancelotti, call up Neymar" and — rather more directly — "Neymar with one leg and one eye is better than all of the players on the Seleção."
They got their wish. Neymar is in.
He is 34, has not played a competitive international in over two and a half years, left Europe for an unsuccessful spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal, and returned to boyhood club Santos in 2025. His fitness is the question that refuses to go away. Ancelotti's answer was characteristically direct: "I want to be clear, clean and honest. He will play if he deserves to play. We have training and training to decide who will play."
The notable absentees tell their own story. João Pedro of Chelsea and Andrey Santos were left out — Chelsea's dismal season (10th in the Premier League, no European football) probably did not help either case. Rodrygo is unavailable with a long-term ACL injury. Richarlison, Savinho, and Gabriel Jesus were also omitted. Thiago Silva, at 41, has appeared for Brazil at four consecutive World Cups — 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022. His omission marks the end of an era.
The squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahçe), Weverton (Grêmio)
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Danilo (Flamengo), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (PSG), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit)
Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinícius Jr (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth)
What it tells you
Ancelotti's Brazil is built around the flanks. Vinícius Jr on the left, Raphinha on the right, with Neymar, Martinelli, and Rayan providing depth in wide positions. The centre of midfield is experienced and physical — Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Fabinho — three players tested at the highest level of club football who can control territory. The defense is deep in numbers: nine defenders for four starting positions, reflecting Ancelotti's caution after Brazil's shambolic backline display against Argentina in March.
Two selections stand out at the younger end. Rayan — Bournemouth's 20-year-old winger, who scored seven league goals in his debut Premier League season — was called up for the first time in March and rewarded with a place on the plane. And Endrick, now 19 and on loan at Lyon from Real Madrid, brings five Ligue 1 goals and seven assists this season. He is not expected to start, but he represents the generation Brazil is building toward — even as they bring the previous one along for one last ride.
Brazil open their World Cup against Morocco on June 13 at MetLife Stadium. They face Haiti on June 19 at Lincoln Financial Field and close the group stage against Scotland on June 24 at Hard Rock Stadium.