Neymar Faces World Cup Doubt as Ancelotti Prioritizes Fitness
Published March 17, 2026 at 6:42 AM, updated March 17, 2026 at 6:42 AM.
The 2026 World Cup could take place without one of Brazil’s most iconic stars, Neymar. National team coach Carlo Ancelotti has left the forward off the squad for upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, a clear signal as Brazil prepares for the tournament. The matches, scheduled for March 26th and 31st in the United States, represent a crucial evaluation period ahead of the final World Cup roster announcement.
The decision comes as Neymar, still the most expensive player in football history, continues to work his way back to full fitness. He hasn’t featured for Brazil in over two and a half years, his last appearance – his 128th cap – coming in a 0-2 defeat to Uruguay in October 2023. That match marked the site of a serious knee injury, a cruciate ligament tear that sidelined him for an extended period.
Since then, Neymar has struggled to recapture his previous form. After a stint with Al-Hilal SFC in Saudi Arabia, he returned to his boyhood club, FC Santos, in January 2025 on a free transfer. This move represents a significant downturn for a player who commanded a world-record €222 million transfer fee from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
Ancelotti was direct about the reasoning behind his decision. “Neymar can go to the World Cup if he is 100 percent fit,” he stated. “But that is not currently the case, which is why I have not included him. We demand players who are in top form. Neymar needs to continue working hard, playing, demonstrating his qualities, and showing fine physical condition.”
Neymar himself addressed the situation, expressing his disappointment but reaffirming his commitment. “I have to address this because I can’t leave it unanswered,” he said, according to Brazilian reports from a Kings League game in São Paulo. “Of course, I’m disappointed and sad not to be called up. But the focus remains, day by day, training by training, game by game. We remain focused. We will achieve our goal. The final call-up is still to come.”
Despite the absence of Neymar and the injured Rodrygo of Real Madrid, Ancelotti has a wealth of attacking options. The Italian coach will look to Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (FC Barcelona), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), and debutant Igor Thiago (FC Brentford) to lead the line. Endrick, recently loaned from Real Madrid to Olympique Lyon, is also back in contention for a spot, earning a recall after a year-long absence.
Brazil boasts the fourth-highest squad value in the world, estimated at €933 million, highlighting the depth of talent available to Ancelotti. However, the question remains whether Neymar can regain his peak form in time to force his way back into the squad. The upcoming matches against France and Croatia will be critical for those vying for a place in the final 23.
The two upcoming matches serve as the final assessment for Ancelotti before finalizing the World Cup squad. The pressure is on for all players to perform and demonstrate their readiness for the tournament. For Neymar, the road to recovery and a potential World Cup berth is a challenging one, demanding peak physical condition and consistent performance.
The situation underscores the competitive nature of international football and the difficult decisions coaches face when selecting their squads. Ancelotti’s focus on fitness and form is a pragmatic approach, prioritizing players who are currently performing at their best. Whether Neymar can meet that standard remains to be seen.
Brazil will need to navigate a challenging tournament landscape, and Ancelotti will be hoping his squad can deliver on their potential. The absence of a fully fit Neymar undoubtedly presents a challenge, but the depth of talent within the squad suggests they are well-equipped to compete for the title.
The next confirmed checkpoint for Brazil is their friendly match against France on March 26th. Fans can follow updates on the team’s progress through official FIFA channels and Brazilian football federation announcements.
