With just 70 days remaining until the 2026 World Cup kicks off across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the Brazilian National Team is making massive headlines. According to emerging reports, head coach Carlo Ancelotti has made a definitive decision regarding the future of his legendary No. 10—and it looks like Neymar Jr. will be staying home.
According to ESPN, the Italian manager has practically finalized the 26-player roster that will represent the Verdeamarela at the upcoming global tournament, and Neymar’s name is noticeably absent from the guaranteed list.
Fitness First: Why Ancelotti is Leaving Neymar Out
The writing has seemingly been on the wall for weeks. Ancelotti previously sparked debate when he ruled Neymar out of recent international friendlies against France and Croatia, citing a muscle strain. Both the manager and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have established a strict, non-negotiable rule: to earn a call-up, a player must be 100% physically fit.
Unfortunately for the 34-year-old Santos FC icon, injuries and a severe lack of match fitness have derailed his World Cup dreams. Neymar has not featured for the Canarinha since suffering a devastating knee injury during a South American qualifier against Uruguay on October 17, 2023. Furthermore, since making a highly anticipated return to Santos in January 2025, he has only managed to play in five matches due to recurring fitness struggles.
A New Collective Vision for Brazil
Reports indicate that 24 of the 26 available spots on the World Cup roster are already locked in. Carletto’s strategy is to stick with the core group of players who have featured in his recent squads. Currently, three players—Lucas Paquetá, Endrick, and Igor Thiago—are fiercely competing for the final two remaining tickets to North America.
Ancelotti has placed his total trust in Brazil’s younger generation. His goal is to reinvent the national team on the international stage by moving away from a system that relies on a single superstar. Instead
