The Brazilian national team has announced its official squad for the 2026 World Cup, with Neymar included and making history in the “Canarinha” era.
At 5p.m of May 18th, coach Carlo Ancelotti announced the 26-player squad for the Brazilian national team participating in the 2026 World Cup.
Notably, Neymar is included, and the Brazilian football “prince” will participate in his fourth World Cup. This is also the first time he has been called up under the Italian coach.
Thus, Neymar joins the group of Brazilian players with the most World Cup appearances in history.
Previously, there were the cases of Castilho (1950, 1954, 1958 and 1962); Djalma Santos (1954, 1958, 1962 and 1966); Nilton Santos (1950, 1954, 1958 and 1962); Pele (1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970); Emerson Leao (1970, 1974, 1978 and 1986); Cafu (1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006); Ronaldo (1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006); Thiago Silva (2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022).
Of the Brazilian players who have participated in the World Cup four times, only Neymar and Thiago Silva have yet to win the title.
Neymar has played 12 matches in World Cups. He has scored 8 goals and provided 3 assists.
“We have been evaluating Neymar throughout this year,” Ancelotti said about the selection. “He has had a consistent run of form over the last few months and his fitness has improved.”
At the World Cup, Neymar has the same opportunities and responsibilities as the other 25 players. We can use him in many different positions. We called him up because of his experience. Neymar is used to pressure.”
Meanwhile, a notable absence is Chelsea striker Joao Pedro, who had featured in three of Ancelotti’s five previous call-ups.
The announcement of the list was held at the Museum of Tomorrow, located in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, and was attended by many prominent figures in Brazilian football.
Furthermore, thanks to the appeal of the five-time World Cup champions, over 600 journalists attended, including reporters from 13 countries, to cover the event.
Brazil’s squad will assemble on May 27th, with the exception of PSG players who will be participating in the Champions League final on May 30th against Arsenal.
On May 31st, Brazil played a friendly match against Panama at the Maracana Stadium before heading to the United States. The “Canarinha” will have a training match against Egypt in Cleveland on June 6th.
Teams are allowed to make substitutions due to injury until just before their opening match, provided the replacement is on the preliminary squad list. After that point, FIFA only allows substitutions if the goalkeeper has a medical issue and it is confirmed.
Brazil has announced its list of 26 players for the 2026 World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)
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)
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth).
