Neymar is officially heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
After months of speculation, criticism and relentless scrutiny, the Santos star has made it back where many believed he might never return.
The 34-year-old was named in Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man Brazil squad during a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro on Monday night, completing a remarkable comeback after nearly two years away from international football.
Ancelotti nombra a Neymar, la gente explota de alegría y empiezan a sonar los tambores.
Increíble momento en Brasil. 😮💨🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/TPh1pAi3Ub https://t.co/cGmXXq116P
— Sudanalytics (@sudanalytics_) May 18, 2026
The weight of the decision isn’t lost on Neymar.
He knows that this is his one final shot at delivering the World Cup glory that has
eluded both him and Brazil for over two decades.
????????????????????????’???? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????? 🥹😍
🎥 @mad_housetv pic.twitter.com/sjCPoHefvT
— 433 (@433) May 18, 2026
Neymar’s Long Road Back
Neymar has not played for Brazil since October 2023, with injuries and fitness concerns threatening to derail his international career altogether.
Since returning to boyhood club Santos, the forward has spent the last 18 months battling his way back to full fitness while facing constant criticism over his physical condition and lifestyle.
Public opinion in Brazil remained sharply divided over whether he deserved a place in the squad.
But Ancelotti never fully shut the door.
“He has improved his fitness,” the Italian manager said after announcing the squad. “He will be an important player in this World Cup.”
Ancelotti also admitted that experience played a major role in Neymar’s selection.
“He can still improve his fitness until the first match of the World Cup,” Ancelotti added. “He has experience in this kind of competition, the love of our group; he can create a better environment in this group.”
La reacción de la gente EN LA CALLE al enterarse que Neymar va al Mundial… saltando, cantando, agradeciendo y hasta LLORANDO.
Locura en Brasil. 🥹🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/VIkIVum6Gk https://t.co/aZhVMKKAdW
— Sudanalytics (@sudanalytics_) May 18, 2026
The Final Chapter?
This will be Neymar’s fourth World Cup appearance, and almost certainly his last.
He dazzled at the 2014 FIFA World Cup on home soil before a crushing injury ruled him out of Brazil’s infamous semi-final defeat to Germany. He returned in 2018 and 2022, but Brazil exited both tournaments in the quarter-finals.
Now, the man once hailed as Brazil’s footballing saviour has one final opportunity to complete the story.
Brazil begin their campaign in Group C against Morocco on June 14, with matches against Haiti and Scotland to follow.
Brazil’s Full 26-Man Squad For The 2026 FIFA World Cup
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Weverton
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Pereira, Bremer, Ibanez, Wesley, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas Santos
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Danilo Santos, Fabinho, Lucas Paqueta
Forwards: Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Thiago, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, Vinicius Junior, Luiz Henrique, Neymar, Rayan
