December 7 – Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has repeated that Neymar will be included in Brazil’s final squad for the World Cup if the Santos player returns to form.
Speaking at news conference at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington D.C following the World Cup draw, the Italian, Brazil’s first foreign manager, said: “If Neymar deserves to be there, if he’s in good form, better than anyone else, he will play in the World Cup, end of story.”
“If we talk about Neymar, we have to talk about other players. We have to think about Brazil, which may or may not have Neymar, with or without other players. We will finalize the definitive list after the FIFA date in March.”
Earlier in 2025, Neymar returned from a two-year, injury-riddled spell at Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia to Santos, the Brazilian club where he rose to fame, in a bid to rekindle his claim for a spot in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad. But he has kept struggling with injury and poor form. Two days before the draw, he did score a hat trick against Juventude.
Brazil has not produced a natural heir to Neymar, who has never won the World Cup or the Ballon d’Or, the two benchmarks for greatness in modern Brazil. Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid is the team’s headline player, but there is a dearth of global stars.
“We may not have a standout player in that sense right now, but we will have many outstanding players,” commented Ancelotti. “I can make a list: we have one of the best goalkeepers in the world, some of the best defenders, top midfielders, and some great players up front. I said I don’t want players who want to be the best in the world; I want players who want to win the World Cup. The important thing is not to have star players, but to have players who want to win.”
Brazil will open their World Cup campaign against Morocco, the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey before taking on Haiti, who return to the finals for the first time since 1974, in Philadelphia. The five-time world champions wrap up their group stage against Scotland and the Tartan Army in Miami. They had planned to base themselves in Orlando, Florida, according to team sources, but the draw may prompt a rethink.
Brazil are the only country to have participated in all 22 World Cups. They won USA 94 after defeating Italy in the final at the Pasadena Rose Bowl from the penalty spot following a goalless draw and extra time.
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