Neymar misses out as Igor Thiago handed first Brazil call-up | OneFootball

Brentford striker Igor Thiago has won a first senior Brazil call-up, while Neymar is left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s 26 for March’s final camp before the 2026 World Cup.

Associated Press has reported that Neymar still wants to make the World Cup squad and says selection is not his decision.

Thiago, 24, is one of four debutants with Bournemouth’s Rayan, 19, Flamengo’s Leo Pereira, 30, and Galatasaray’s Gabriel Sara, 26. Endrick returns for the first time under Ancelotti, while Lucas Paqueta misses out.

Thiago is the Premier League’s second top-scorer this season with 19 goals in 30 matches. It is his first Brazil call at any level.

Rayan joined Bournemouth in January and has two goals in seven Premier League games. Sara and Pereira have both featured for Brazil at youth level.

Neymar, 34, had arthroscopy on his left knee in December and missed the first 10 matches this season. Brazil’s record scorer on 79 from 128, he has not played for his country since tearing his ACL in October 2023, and has two goals and two assists in four Santos outings since returning in January 2025. He made the remarks after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Corinthians.

Brazil play France at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts on 26 March, then Croatia at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on one April. Panama and Egypt follow in late May and early June before the World Cup starts on 11 June. They are in Group C with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland.

Source: NY Times