Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of the Brazil national team, announced the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during a press conference in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, May 18, 2026. The most notable inclusion is the return of forward Neymar, who has been absent from the national team since October 2023 due to injury.
Neymar, 34, last played for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela in October 2023, where he suffered a torn ACL and meniscus. His recovery kept him out of action for over a year, but he has since returned to club football with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia and has been in good form.
Ancelotti, who took over as Brazil's manager in July 2024, emphasized the importance of experience in the squad. The team is drawn in Group F for the World Cup, alongside Cameroon, Serbia, and Switzerland. Brazil will open their campaign against Serbia on June 15, 2026.
Other key players in the squad include Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and goalkeeper Alisson Becker. The full 26-man roster was published on the Brazilian Football Confederation's website. Brazil is seeking its sixth World Cup title, having last won in 2002.
