Despite recent form and public optimism, Brazil’s all-time top scorer is left out of Ancelotti’s March squad, while Endrick and Igor Thiago headline a new attacking era ahead of key friendlies in the United States.
Category: World News
Brazil’s national team manager Carlo Ancelotti has made a bold statement ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaving out legendary forward Neymar from the squad for the crucial March friendlies against France and Croatia. The announcement, confirmed on March 16, has sent shockwaves through Brazilian football, with fans and pundits alike debating what this means for the Seleção’s World Cup ambitions—and for Neymar’s own storied international career.
The five-time world champions will face France at Gillette Stadium in Boston on March 26, followed by Croatia at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on March 31. These matches are Brazil’s final major tests before Ancelotti reveals his definitive World Cup roster on May 18. With the tournament kicking off in June across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, every selection and omission carries extra weight.
Neymar, 34, remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances. Yet, his road back to the national team has been anything but smooth. After suffering a devastating ACL and meniscus tear in his left knee during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023, Neymar has spent months on the sidelines. He underwent arthroscopic surgery in December 2025 and only recently returned to action with Santos, his boyhood club, notching two goals and two assists in four appearances this season. Despite this resurgence, it wasn’t enough to sway Ancelotti.
“Neymar is not at 100% and therefore he is not on the list,” Ancelotti told reporters on Monday, echoing a sentiment he’s held since taking over the Brazil job in May 2025. “If he can be at 100% physically, he can be there. Neymar could be at the World Cup. Neymar has to keep working, playing, showcasing his qualities and maintaining good physical condition.” The Italian manager was clear: the decision was based on physical readiness, not talent. “It’s a physical assessment, not a technical one,” Ancelotti emphasized, adding, “For the coaching staff, and for me, he hasn’t yet reached his full potential. He has to work to achieve it.”
The timing couldn’t be worse for Neymar, who has openly declared that making the 2026 World Cup is one of his greatest ambitions. Speaking at a Kings League event in São Paulo, Neymar didn’t hide his emotions. “Obviously I’m upset and sad not to have been selected. But the focus remains the same, day after day, training session after training session, match after match. We’ll achieve our goal. There’s still one final squad announcement to go and the dream lives on. That’s it, we’re in this together,” he said, as reported by the Associated Press. In another interview after Santos’ 1-1 draw with Corinthians—a match attended by two of Ancelotti’s assistants—Neymar reiterated his commitment: “I wish to go back to the national team and play in the World Cup, but that’s not up to me. Whether I am there or not, I will always cheer for Brazil.”
Neymar’s exclusion is even more striking given his recent form for Santos, where he has logged 315 minutes across four matches, contributing decisively on the scoresheet. However, a bout of muscle fatigue forced him to miss a key match against Mirassol on March 10, scuppering Ancelotti’s plans for an in-person assessment. The Brazil manager attended the match, hoping to see Neymar in action, but instead witnessed another setback in the star’s stop-start comeback. These fitness concerns, combined with his long injury layoff, have cast doubt over Neymar’s readiness for the highest level of international competition.
While Neymar’s absence dominates headlines, Ancelotti’s squad reveals a clear intent to blend experience with fresh talent. Endrick, the 19-year-old sensation who joined Lyon from Real Madrid in January, returns to the national setup after scoring six goals in 12 appearances for his new club. This marks his first call-up since Ancelotti assumed the reins last summer, signaling a new chapter for Brazil’s attack. Igor Thiago, Brentford’s 24-year-old striker and the Premier League’s second top scorer with 19 goals in 30 matches, earns his maiden senior call-up—his first at any level for Brazil. Rayan, Leo Pereira, and Gabriel Sara also join the squad as first-time selections, further underlining the manager’s willingness to inject youth and energy into the team.
The rest of the roster features a blend of established stars and in-form newcomers. Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr), and Ederson (Fenerbahce) anchor the goalkeeping corps. The defense boasts names like Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Marquinhos (PSG), and Wesley (Roma). Midfield duties are entrusted to Casemiro (Manchester United), Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), and Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray). Up front, alongside Endrick and Igor Thiago, Brazil can call upon Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), João Pedro (Chelsea), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), and Bournemouth’s Rayan.
As Brazil prepares for their World Cup campaign—set to begin against Morocco on June 13, with additional group stage matches versus Scotland and Haiti—the pressure is on Ancelotti to deliver results while managing the transition between generations. The Italian coach has hinted at extending his contract with the Brazil federation through the 2030 World Cup, stating, “When a couple wants to carry on I think there’s no problem. Either before or after the next World Cup we will make this extension official.” He even joked, “Extending before the World Cup will be cheaper, afterwards it will be more expensive. I am very confident.”
Brazil’s friendlies this March are not just warm-ups—they’re auditions for the final World Cup squad and a test of Ancelotti’s new-look team. With Neymar’s future hanging in the balance, all eyes will be on the performances of Endrick, Igor Thiago, and the rest of Brazil’s attack. Can the Seleção find the right blend of youth and experience to challenge for a sixth world title? One thing’s for sure: the drama is far from over, and the coming months promise plenty of intrigue for Brazilian football fans.
For now, Neymar’s World Cup dream remains alive but uncertain, as Brazil’s preparations intensify and the final roster decision looms ever closer.