Ancelotti announces Brazil’s World Cup squad
Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti announced late Monday afternoon (May 18) at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro the list of 26 players selected to represent Brazil at the World Cup. The biggest surprise was the inclusion of striker Neymar. At 34, Santos’ No. 10 will compete in the fourth World Cup of his career, following appearances in 2014, 2018, and 2022.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Weverton (Grêmio), and Ederson (Fenerbahçe).
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), and Wesley (Roma).
Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), and Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo).
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid), and Raphinha (Barcelona).
Neymar
Neymar last played for the Brazilian national team on October 17, 2023. On that occasion, Brazil, under coach Fernando Diniz, lost 2–0 to Uruguay in Montevideo in a South American World Cup qualifier. The match remains a bitter memory for the forward, who left the field in the first half with an injury.
Thus, Monday’s call-up marks the first time Santos’ No. 10 has been selected for the Brazilian national team under Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Friendly matches
Before the start of the 2026 World Cup, to be held in Mexico, the US, and Canada, Brazil will play two friendly matches. The first, which will serve as a farewell to Brazilian fans, will see the national team face Panama on May 31 at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
On June 6, one week before Brazil’s World Cup debut, the national team will face Egypt in its final friendly match. The game will be played at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland.
Brazil at the World Cup
Brazil is in Group C of the 2026 World Cup, with all its matches to be played in the United States. The team will make its debut against Morocco on June 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. In the second round, Brazil will face Haiti on June 19 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The final group-stage match is scheduled for June 24 against Scotland at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Check out the national team’s matches:
Brazil vs. Morocco
Date: June 13
Time: 7:00 p.m. (Brasília time)
Venue: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA
Brazil vs. Haiti
Date: June 19
Time: 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time)
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA
Brazil vs. Scotland
Date: June 24
Time: 7:00 p.m. (Brasília time)
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA
