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Ancelotti Names Fit Neymar to Brazil’s 2026 Squad

5/19/2026

Summary

Neymar Selected

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti named Neymar to the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on May 18, 2026, noting his improved fitness and importance, though work is needed.
Neymar logged four goals and two assists in eight Santos matches, with Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha also making the roster.
Injured strikers Rodrygo and Estêvão were omitted while Chelsea forward João Pedro, who scored 23 goals this season, was left out.

Summary

Neymar Substitution Error

Neymar Jr. was mistakenly shown as being substituted in a Santos-Coritiba Serie A match after fourth official displayed his number 10 on the substitution board.
Neymar protested the error by gesturing at the board, showing the slip that listed teammate Gonzalo Escobar’s name, and was shown a yellow card for his conduct.
Santos later confirmed the officiating mistake, stating the substitution board had incorrectly shown Neymar’s number instead of Escobar’s.

History

Historical Context

In 2002 Brazil, coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari, won its record fifth World Cup in Yokohama after Ronaldo recovered from a hamstring to score both goals in a 2-0 final over Germany. The tournament was the first jointly hosted in Asia and set a +14 goal-difference record, establishing a precedent for Brazil to rely on a marquee striker despite fitness doubts.

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Neymar Selected

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti named Neymar to the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on May 18, 2026, noting his improved fitness and importance, though work is needed.
Neymar logged four goals and two assists in eight Santos matches, with Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha also making the roster.
Injured strikers Rodrygo and Estêvão were omitted while Chelsea forward João Pedro, who scored 23 goals this season, was left out.

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