BREAKING: Neymar Included in Brazil’s Final Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup as Chelsea Star Misses Out

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has named his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Neymar Jr included in the Seleção squad ahead of the tournament that kicks off on June 11.

The 34-year-old forward has been selected as Brazil seek to reclaim global glory after last winning the FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan in 2002.

Neymar won an Olympic gold medal with Brazil in 2016. He made his FIFA World Cup debut at the 2014 tournament hosted in Brazil. The upcoming competition will mark his fourth World Cup appearance.

The Santos forward is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer in men’s football with 79 official goals. However, he has struggled with injuries in recent years following ACL surgery in October 2023.

Chelsea forward Joao Pedro has been left out of the squad due to a muscle injury suffered in the previous game against Manchester City in the FA Cup.

Teenage star Estevao also misses out through injury, while midfielder Andrey Santos has not been included after losing his place in Chelsea’s starting lineup in recent matches.

Liverpool goalkeeper Allison Becker, striker Endrick, and former West Ham playmaker Lucas Paqueta have all been included in the squad.

Bruno Guimarães, Raphinha, Vinicius Junior, Marquinhos, Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes, and Brentford striker Igor Thiago are also among the players named in the final squad.

Brazil have been drawn in Group C alongside Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Final Squad

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 Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth).