Coach Carlo Ancelotti announced on Monday the list of 26 players called up for the Brazilian national team for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The main highlight is the return of forward Neymar, who had not played for the national team since the injury suffered in October 2023.
In a press conference, Ancelotti acknowledged that the final decision left out players who had been part of the process during the year. "I know perfectly well that some players who were with us this year will not be happy with this list. The list is not perfect, but the World Cup will not be won by the perfect team. We want to be the most resilient team in the world to win the Cup. I am not afraid to say that we can win it," he said.
The call-up mixes experience, international hierarchy, and youth. In goal, Alisson, Ederson, and Weverton were called up. In defense, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Bremer, Danilo, Alex Sandro, Douglas Santos, Ibañez, Léo Pereira, and Wesley. In midfield, Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Danilo, Fabinho, and Lucas Paquetá. In attack, Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli, Endrick, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, Rayan, Igor Thiago, and Neymar.
The team will play two friendlies before the opening match: on May 31 at Maracanã against Panama, and on June 6 at Cleveland Browns Stadium against Egypt. Brazil opens the World Cup on June 13 against Morocco in New York. Then they face Haiti on June 19 in Philadelphia, and finish the group stage on June 24 against Scotland in Miami.