Carlo Ancelotti has officially taken over as head coach of the Brazil national team, tasked with leading the Seleção’s project toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As Brazil prepares for its first matches under his leadership, Ancelotti has explained his decision to leave Neymar out of the squad.
In his first call-up, Ancelotti surprised fans by recalling players who had fallen out of favor in recent years, including Casemiro, Antony, and Danilo. However, the absence of Neymar—Brazil’s marquee star—raised eyebrows. During his introductory press conference, Ancelotti addressed his selection criteria.
“For this call-up, I tried to select players who are currently in good form. Neymar has just returned from an injury and has only just started playing again. Everyone knows he’s a very important player—he always has been and always will be. We are counting on him, obviously,” he said when asked about Neymar.
Ancelotti acknowledged the squad is missing several key players due to injuries. “Unfortunately, right now, many players are injured and can’t be with the national team. Neymar just recently came back, as did Rodrygo, Gabriel (Magalhaes), Joelinton, Eder Militao, Ederson… but Brazil has many talented players. In Neymar’s specific case, we’re counting on him being at his best.”
Ancelotti went on to detail the plan he shares with both Neymar and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). “He returned to Brazil to play and prepare for the World Cup, and both I, the CBF, and Neymar share the same objective: that he be ready for the World Cup. I spoke with him this morning to explain it—he agrees with us, and that’s the path we’ll continue on,” he concluded.
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Brazil will face Ecuador away on June 5 and Paraguay at home on June 10 in 2026 World Cup qualifying—the first official matches of the Ancelotti era. While Neymar will miss these games, he remains firmly in Brazil’s long-term plans, with next year’s World Cup expected to be his final appearance on the global stage.
When could Neymar make his debut under Carlo Ancelotti?
Neymar recently made his return from a long-term thigh injury, featuring off the bench for Santos in two brief appearances: 26 minutes in the Copa do Brasil on May 22 against CRB, and another 26 minutes in the Brasileirão against Vitória on May 25. With the international break just two weeks away, Ancelotti deemed it too soon for Neymar to return to national team action.
So, when might we see Neymar’s debut under Ancelotti? Brazil’s next scheduled matches are in September: they’ll host Chile on September 9 and travel to Bolivia on September 14 for additional World Cup qualifiers. If Neymar stays fit, he is expected to be included in the squad—and could finally begin his chapter under Ancelotti’s leadership.
