Neymar Included In Brazil's 2026 World Cup Squad As Joao Pedro Drops Out

Neymar is named in Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-player Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup, with the forward set for a fourth appearance at the tournament, while Chelsea forward Joao Pedro is left out despite strong domestic form, as Brazil target a sixth title at the finals in North America.

Brazil are drawn in Group C and prepare to meet Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in the opening phase, with attacking options including Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Luis Henrique, Gabriel Martinelli and Brentford forward Igor Thiago, who all offer different styles for Ancelotti across the front line.

The Selecao extend their record of appearing at every World Cup since 1930, with the 2026 edition becoming Brazil’s 23rd participation, and they also hold the tournament record of five titles and the best win percentage, claiming 76 victories in 114 matches for a success rate of 67 per cent.

Neymar enters the competition as Brazil’s leading all-time scorer on 79 goals and has already featured at three previous World Cups, starting with the home edition in 2014, and across those tournaments has produced eight goals and three assists from 13 matches on football’s largest international stage.

Only Ronaldo, with 19 goal contributions, Pele with 18 and Jairzinho with 12 have a higher combined goals and assists tally for Brazil at World Cup finals than Neymar’s total of 11, and Neymar also belongs to a select group of three players to both score and assist at each of the last three tournaments, alongside Lionel Messi and Luka Modric.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, who has not played for the club since 18 March because of injury, is still called up by Ancelotti, joining Ederson and Weverton among the goalkeepers, while 19-year-old Endrick is also selected and will travel to a senior World Cup for the first time after breaking through at international level.

Joao Pedro misses out on selection despite a productive Premier League season, during which only Erling Haaland with 34, Bruno Fernandes with 28 and Igor Thiago with 23 are involved in more goals, while Joao Pedro’s 20 contributions match Antoine Semenyo, yet Ancelotti chooses alternative attacking options for the final squad list.

Brazil squad for 2026 World Cup: full 26-player list

Ancelotti’s final Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup features three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and nine forwards, with domestic-based players from clubs such as Flamengo, Botafogo, Santos and Gremio joined by footballers from leagues in England, Spain, Italy, France, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Russia.

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The combination of Neymar’s experience, Brazil’s strong historical record at World Cups and the blend of established names with emerging players such as Endrick and Igor Thiago shapes a squad expected to compete strongly again as Brazil look to add a sixth star to the national team shirt in 2026.