Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly submitted an initial 55-man provisional list to FIFA, heightening anticipation ahead of Brazil’s final squad announcement.
Neymar could be set for another World Cup swan song with the Brazilian national team. According to reports from Exame, head coach Carlo Ancelotti has already dispatched a preliminary 55-man longlist to FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, with the iconic number 10 among those being monitored for the showpiece event.
While this provisional list is a standard FIFA requirement preceding the official squad unveil, it offers no guarantees of a final seat on the plane. Nevertheless, the possible inclusion of Neymar has already sparked significant debate, particularly given the forward’s fitness struggles in recent seasons. Ancelotti, having recently taken the reins of the ‘Canarinho’, is proceeding with calculated caution as he looks to strike a balance between veteran experience and a fresh generation of talent.
Beyond Neymar, the longlist is expected to feature a blend of established European stars and burgeoning prospects. With the final squad due for release in the coming weeks, Brazilian fans are eagerly awaiting the first major tournament selection of the Italian’s tenure.
Per Exame, here is the unofficial preliminary list for the Brazilian national team for the 2026 World Cup:
Center-backs: Marquinhos (PSG-FRA), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal-ENG), Bremer (Juventus-ITA), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Ibanez (Al-Ahli-KSA)
Alexsandro (Lille-FRA), FabrÃcio Bruno (Cruzeiro), Beraldo (PSG-FRA), Vitor Reis (Girona-ESP), Murillo (Nottingham Forest-ENG).
Right-backs: Wesley (Roma-ITA), Danilo (Flamengo), Paulo Henrique (Vasco), Vitinho (Botafogo).
Left-backs: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit-RUS), Luciano Juba (Bahia), Caio Henrique (Monaco-FRA), Kaiki (Cruzeiro), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan-ITA).
Midfielders: Casemiro (Manchester United-ENG), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle-ENG), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad-KSA), Andrey Santos (Chelsea-ENG), Danilo (Botafogo), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray-TUR), Joao Gomes (Wolverhampton-ENG), Andreas Pereira (Palmeiras), Joelinton (Newcastle-ENG), Gerson (Cruzeiro), Matheus Pereira (Cruzeiro), Martinelli (Fluminense).
Forwards: Vini Jr. (Real Madrid-ESP), Raphinha (Barcelona-ESP), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United-ENG), Luiz Henrique (Zenit-RUS), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal-ENG), Joao Pedro (Chelsea-ENG), Estevao (Chelsea-ENG), Neymar (Santos), Endrick (Lyon-FRA), Rayan (Bournemouth-ENG), Antony (Real Betis-ESP), Igor Thiago (Brentford-ENG), Pedro (Flamengo), Richarlison (Tottenham-ENG), Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest-ENG), Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro).
