The legendary Neymar Jr. has been notably omitted from the latest Brazil national team squad for the upcoming high-profile friendlies against France and Croatia. This decision, announced by head coach Carlo Ancelotti on Monday, March 16, 2026, marks the final window for the Seleção to experiment before the definitive 2026 FIFA World Cup roster is finalized in May.
Ancelotti Prioritizes “100% Fitness”
Addressing the media in Rio de Janeiro, Ancelotti clarified that the exclusion of the 34-year-old forward was strictly a physical evaluation, not a technical one. Despite Neymar recently returning to action for his boyhood club Santos, the Italian manager remains cautious.
“Neymar is not at 100 percent of his capability, and therefore he is not on the list,” Ancelotti stated. “He has nothing to prove on a technical level—with the ball he is very good—but he needs to reach his potential physically. If he can get to 100 percent, he could still be at the World Cup.”
The Long Road Back for the Record Scorer
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has had a tumultuous recovery period since suffering a ruptured ACL in October 2023. After a stint with Saudi club Al-Hilal, he returned to Santos in early 2025 to regain his form.
However, his journey has been plagued by minor muscle setbacks. Most recently, he missed a match against Mirassol due to “muscle fatigue,” an absence that coincided with his sister’s birthday and sparked fresh criticism in the Brazilian media. Neymar responded sharply to the rumors, stating, “It’s very hard to please everyone. I have to be patient to put up with it.”
“The Dream Continues”: Neymar’s Response
Despite being “upset and sad” about the omission, Neymar remains defiant about his World Cup ambitions. On Monday, he told reporters that his focus remains on daily training. “There is still one final call-up to come and the dream continues,” he said.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, is widely expected to be Neymar’s final attempt at winning the trophy that has eluded him throughout his illustrious career.
A New Generation Takes the Lead
As Neymar works toward fitness, Ancelotti is looking toward the future. The latest squad includes a recall for 19-year-old sensation Endrick, who has been in stellar form on loan at Lyon. The manager also handed first-time call-ups to Brentford’s Igor Thiago and Bournemouth teenager Rayan, signaling a significant shift in Brazil’s attacking philosophy.
Brazil will begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13, followed by Group C matches against Haiti and Scotland.