Neymar left out of Brazil squad for World Cup warm-ups

Neymar was left out of the latest Brazil squad ​named by coach Carlo Ancelotti on Monday (March 16, 2026) for this month’s friendlies, as ‌the five-time world champions continue their preparations for ​the 2026 World Cup.

Brazil are set to play ⁠France on March 26 in Boston and Croatia on March 31 in Orlando ahead of the tournament in the United States, Mexico and ‌Canada.

Neymar’s absence comes after the 34-year-old missed a recent game for Santos FC due to muscle fatigue, ‌a match which Ancelotti had planned to assess him ‌in ⁠person during a scouting trip ahead of the squad ⁠announcement.

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not played for the national team since suffering a serious knee injury in October 2023 and ​has struggled to maintain ‌a consistent run of matches since returning to Santos last year.

“Neymar can be at the World Cup if he’s 100%,” Ancelotti told reporters on Monday after announcing his squad. “I didn’t ‌call him up because he’s not 100%. Neymar ​has to be training and playing.”

Neymar, at a Kings League event in Sao Paulo on Monday, said ⁠that he was disappointed and sad about being left out.

“But I remain focused, day after day, training session after training session, ‌match after match. We will achieve our goal. The dream continues.”

Ancelotti has called up 19-year-old Endrick, who returns to international action for the first time in almost a year, and handed a first call-up to Brentford’s Igor Thiago as Brazil look to refresh their attacking options.

Brazil will play another friendly ‌against Egypt in June before beginning their Group C World Cup campaign ​against Morocco on June 13.

Brazil squad:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce)

Defenders: Wesley (AS Roma), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg), ⁠Marquinhos (Paris St Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo)

Midfielders: Andrey ⁠Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)

Forwards: Endrick (Olympique Lyonnais), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St Petersburg), Rayan (Bournemouth), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), ‌Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)