The Brazilian FA set the stage for Carlo Ancelotti’s announcement of his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the bold statement: “It’s forbidden to dream small.” This grand reveal took place at the lavish Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro, punctuated by a musical tribute to Brazil’s five World Cup victories, accompanied by an audience of celebrities, former champions, and influencers.
After the buildup, the crowd awaited eagerly as Ancelotti called out the players in alphabetical order by position, moving from goalkeepers to defenders, midfielders, and finally, the much-anticipated forward line.
– Predicted Starting XIs for World Cup Contenders
– 2026 World Cup Squads Announced So Far
– Injuries Tracker for the 2026 World Cup
As he moved through the list, mentioning players like Igor Thiago of Brentford and Luiz Henrique of Zenit St. Petersburg without touching on João Pedro from Chelsea, it became clear: Neymar was making his return. He is back with the national team for the first time since a severe knee injury sustained against Uruguay in October 2023, taking the title of Brazil’s all-time leading scorer back into the fold.
This marks Ancelotti’s first collaboration with Neymar, whose presence is certain to reshape team dynamics. Since his debut in 2010, Neymar has been the focal point of the Brazilian squad. The question remains: Can he adapt to a supporting role?
0:46
Brazil fans celebrate Neymar’s World Cup selection.
The moment Brazil fans discovered Neymar’s inclusion in the World Cup squad at the Museu do Amanhã.
It’s challenging to see Neymar as anything but a central figure, despite his less-than-stellar form at Santos. Given his recent performances, justifying his selection over the Chelsea forward seems difficult.
During the post-announcement press conference, Ancelotti appeared uneasy when asked about this discrepancy, acknowledging that João Pedro’s contributions warranted inclusion. It was evident that the two were in direct competition for a spot. Neymar’s return had nothing to do with the absence of Estêvão due to an injury at Chelsea. Ancelotti clarified he views Neymar not as a winger, but rather as a central striker.
Matheus Cunha from Manchester United is poised to be the primary striker, with Neymar potentially joining him as they explore a front four setup, or alternatively, playing as a false nine, flanked by Raphinha from Barcelona and Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid.
Igor Thiago, whose inclusion is a remarkable story of perseverance, seems likely to add depth as a substitute aimed at providing late-game goal-scoring potential. Meanwhile, Endrick, initially viewed as a candidate for future tournaments, has impressed enough during his loan at Lyon to earn his spot.
As Neymar attempts to regain his pre-injury form, Brazil’s offensive lineup boasts sufficient firepower to trouble any defense. However, there are notable concerns in other areas of the squad.
One issue lies in the tactical arrangement. Should Ancelotti favor a front four setup, it narrows his options in central midfield to just two players, one being the aging Casemiro, who is set to leave Manchester United at the season’s end. This raises questions about managing fatigue in extreme heat. Historically, Brazil’s 1994 World Cup triumph stemmed from a well-structured midfield.
If a forward must make way, dynamic midfielder Danilo Santos from Botafogo stands as a viable option to form a more balanced central trio, with Lucas Paquetá from Flamengo another possibility. Concerns also emerge over Casemiro’s backup options, as the reserve player Fabinho from Al Ittihad raises questions about reliability. Ancelotti may come to regret not including Chelsea’s Andrey Santos.
In goal, there are also worries. While Alisson of Liverpool remains the first-choice keeper, injury issues persist. The backup, Ederson of Fenerbahce, has been inconsistent. The anticipated third-choice, Bento of Al Nassr, has also faced a dip in form, leading Ancelotti to summon the seasoned Weverton from Grêmio for a second successive World Cup.
The full-back positions raise additional concerns. With an abundance of wingers, the Brazilian side no longer requires traditional attacking full-backs like Cafu or Roberto Carlos.
Instead, a more defensive focus prevails, leading to criticism of the aged selections of Danilo and Alex Sandro. Although center-back is considered a strength, worries persist. The first-choice duo of Marquinhos from Paris Saint-Germain and Gabriel Magalhães from Arsenal face potential injury risks, especially with the Champions League final approaching.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti exudes confidence, stating, “Anxiety is for a child going to school unprepared. I am calm because I am well prepared.” Yet with Neymar’s inclusion igniting fresh speculation, attention will undoubtedly turn to whether he should start.
Throughout the press conference, the manager reiterated his intent to create “the most resilient team in the world,” but with the inclusion of the most renowned star, Ancelotti will need to demonstrate considerable resilience in managing the fallout.