Neymar named in Brazil World Cup squad – See full 26-man list

• Neymar is included in Brazil’s 26-man World Cup squad.

• He returns after injury setbacks, despite doubts over fitness.

• Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha are also named, while Rodrygo and Endrick Estevão miss out.

Neymar has been included in Brazil’s World Cup squad announced on Monday, defying expectations after several local analysts and former players had recently doubted his chances of making the final cut.

The 34-year-old, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has battled to regain full fitness since suffering a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his left knee in October 2023.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man selection also includes key figures Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha, who have been central to Brazil’s recent attacking setup, as anticipated.

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Ancelotti, who took charge in May 2025, had previously not called up Neymar until this latest squad announcement, making his inclusion a notable shift in selection policy ahead of the tournament.

The Italian manager, who recently extended his contract with the Brazilian Football Confederation through to the 2030 World Cup, continues to navigate an injury-hit period for the squad. Brazil will notably be without key attacking options Rodrygo and Endrick Estevão, both ruled out of the tournament in North America due to injury setbacks.

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Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahçe), Weverton (Grêmio)

Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg)

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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), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), and Rayan (Bournemouth).