Neymar recalled by Ancelotti as Brazil name 26 for 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Neymar has been recalled to Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup after Carlo Ancelotti named a 26-man squad and confirmed the forward’s return.

According to Diario Do Peixe, the 34-year-old says this will be his last World Cup after a prolonged period of injuries.

His last Brazil appearance came in October 2023, a qualifying defeat to Uruguay when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee. He then spent two years and seven months without an official Brazil appearance and was sidelined for more than 800 days.

He returned to Santos in January 2025 after terminating his Al-Hilal contract, with careful minutes to protect against further muscle problems. Since then he has played 45 games, scoring 18 with nine assists, helping persuade Ancelotti.

A March 2025 call-up by Dorival Júnior ended with a left thigh setback, then a left-knee injury against Mirassol in November curtailed his season under Ancelotti.

He was omitted again in March this year for physical reasons, a decision that surprised him. Now fully fit, he returns as Brazil’s record scorer in FIFA’s records with 79 goals in 128 caps, plus 59 assists.

He has 13 World Cup games with eight goals and four assists, and 2026 will be his fourth after 2014, 2018 and 2022. The squad meets on 27 May at Granja Comary, then play Panama at the Maracanã on 31 May before flying to the United States on 1 June. Egypt await in Cleveland on 6 June.

Source: Diario Do Peixe