Updated: 19 May 2026 17:10 BST |
5 min read
We are officially in World Cup season as nations have started to name their squads for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.
Brazil go into every tournament as one of the favourites to win it not only due to the talent at their disposal, but due to their history at the World Cup as they are the only country to have won it on five occasions, with those victories coming in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.
By the Selecao’s World Cup standards, they are in a bit of a drought when it comes to a win on the biggest stage of the wall and they have turned to veteran head coach Carlo Ancelotti to bring back the glory days.
The Italian named his squad on Monday and the headline is undoubtedly the inclusion of Neymar.
É A LISTA DO CORAÇÃO! É A LISTA DO BRASIL! 🇧🇷
Não são apenas 26 nomes. São 26 corações que sonharam com esse momento.
VAMOS EM BUSCA DA SEXTA ESTRELA! 🌟⭐🏆#BateNoPeito
ISSO É BRASIL! pic.twitter.com/1MRWJyG9ug
— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) May 18, 2026
The superstar has not played for Brazil since October of 2023 when he suffered a serious knee injury. Over the past year, the narrative surrounding the national team has focused on whether he will be included by Ancelotti, with legendary figures like Ronaldo and Romario urging the coach to give Neymar a recall.
As the squad was announced, Ancelotti explained Neymar’s inclusion, telling reporters:
“We have assessed Neymar all season. He has really improved in recent times, improving his physical condition. He’s an important player, and he’ll be important at the World Cup.
“Neymar will have the same duties as the other 25 players: he has a chance to play, or not play, staying on the bench or being introduced as a substitute. He has the same responsibility as the others. He’s an experienced player. In some roles, in goal and attack, we have prioritised experience.”
There are some surprise inclusions and exclusions, too.
Chelsea forward Joao Pedro has been omitted from the 25-man squad despite scoring 15 goals in the Premier League and being one of the Blues’ best players in a difficult campaign. Wonderkid Endrick has been included despite scoring 10 league goals less than Pedro, while Rayan is in despite just earning one competitive international cap in his career so far.
“It was difficult to pick these 26 players because the competition is very high in this country,” Ancelotti explained.
“I want to thank everyone for their hard work and the fantastic effort to make it onto this list. It’s a list that expresses quality with a fantastic collective spirit, attitude, concentration and discipline. I’m sure it’s not a perfect list, but the team that will win the World Cup won’t be perfect. The perfect team doesn’t exist.
“We want to be a resilient team to try to win the World Cup. I’m not afraid to say we can win the World Cup. There are high expectations, and this gives more motivation; it’s an important aspect in the preparation.”
Alisson’s future at Liverpool is far from certain and he has suffered from injury issues this season, but he has been included in the goalkeeper department alongside Ederson and Weverton.
Casemiro won’t have a club soon as his Manchester United departure has been confirmed, but he’s a trusted lieutenant of Ancelotti and will likely start Brazil’s opening match versus Morocco.
Speaking of that crucial fixture against the African side, this is how Ancelotti may opt to line-up his team from the start:
(4-4-2) Alisson; Wesley, Gabriel, Marquinhos, Sandro; Raphinha, Guimaraes, Casemiro, Vinicius Junior; Thiago, Cunha
That’s a 4-4-2 formation on paper, but it’s likely to be more of a 4-2-4 on the pitch as Vini Junior and Raphinha will play high up the field on the left and right flanks.
Ancelotti has plenty of options for the centre-forward spot and it will be between Endrick and Igor Thiago to earn a place alongside Matheus Cunha. The Manchester United forward will be useful up there as he won’t be a straight number nine, so can drop deeper and also play anywhere along the front four, really.
Marquinhos and Gabriel, as Champions League finalists for Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, respectively, pick themselves as the centre-backs, while Alex Sandro and Roma’s Wesley should be give the nod at full-back.
Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes are going to have to cover a hell of a lot of ground in that central midfield area due to that attacking front four but both have bags of experience as well as real quality and defensive instincts.
There may not be a place for Neymar in the starting XI, but we’ll see him at some point in the tournament.
Vinicius Junior remains Brazil’s talisman for this tournament as he is there highest-profile player. He is completely out of Neymar’s shadow now and it is up to the Real Madrid star to put himself alongside true Brazilian greats.
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is set to be the biggest tournament in the competition’s history, and LEGO© is tapping into football fever with a new range designed for supporters, collectors and younger fans alike.
Their collection includes an intricate Vinicius Junior set which depicts the Real Madrid star scoring a goal in Brazil’s famous yellow kit.
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