Rafael Nogueira
Carlo Ancelotti walks into Monday’s Brazil squad announcement carrying the weight of one question the entire nation wants answered: is Neymar going to the 2026 World Cup?
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The 34-year-old forward is Brazil‘s all-time leading scorer, but his place at the tournament — which kicks off next month — is far from guaranteed. Years of injury trouble and an underwhelming return to Santos have placed his international future in serious doubt, forcing Ancelotti to weigh sentiment against the physical demands of his high-intensity system.
“When you have to choose, you have to consider many things,” Ancelotti told Reuters in an exclusive interview on Tuesday. “Neymar is an important player for this country because of the talent he has always shown. But he has had problems and is working hard to recover. He has improved a lot recently and is playing regularly. It is, obviously, not such an easy decision for me. We have to weigh up the pros and cons carefully.”
Ancelotti spoke at the Brazilian Football Confederation‘s headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, overlooking Barra da Tijuca, with the measured calm that has defined one of football’s most decorated managerial careers. The Italian is the only coach to have won league titles across all five of Europe’s major leagues and holds a record five Champions League titles as a manager, plus two more as a player.
A Selection Decision Like No Other
Few calls Ancelotti has ever made will be dissected at this level. Teammates have publicly lobbied for Neymar‘s inclusion. The public remains split between loyalty to its greatest scorer and legitimate concern over whether his body can still meet modern football’s physical demands.
“I know full well that Neymar is much loved, not only by the public but also by the players. This is also a factor, because we have to consider the atmosphere that will surround Neymar‘s call-up. It’s not as if I’m going to drop a bombshell in the dressing room. He’s very well-liked, he’s very much loved.”
“I think it’s normal for the players to express their opinion. I’m grateful to everyone who has given me advice; I thank you all. But ultimately, the right person to make this decision, the one best placed to do so, is me.”
When asked whether the players’ public support had shifted his thinking, Ancelotti offered a precise answer: it matters only because it confirms Neymar would not fracture the group dynamic. The dressing room is not the concern. The circus outside it may be.
“The internal atmosphere, I don’t think it will affect the team at all. The atmosphere is a very positive, very clean one, and no matter which player is in the squad, it will remain positive and clean right to the end. But I can’t control the external atmosphere and what the media says.”
Fitness Remains the Central Factor
Ancelotti has built his Brazil setup around four forwards capable of pressing, tracking back and sustaining high intensity across ninety minutes. That template is demanding for any player — for one who has struggled to string together a run of matches over the past several years, it is a genuine test.
The Italian said Neymar has shown meaningful signs of progress.
“He has improved his fitness a lot in recent matches. He has played some very good matches lately. His fitness has improved. He can maintain a high intensity in a match. But there are matches and matches…”
Ancelotti was equally direct about who owns the final call.
“I haven’t been pressured by anyone to call up Neymar. I have complete autonomy. The decision will be 100% professional. I will only take into account how he is performing as a footballer. Nothing else. Can I draw up a perfect squad? Impossible! But I can draw up a squad with fewer mistakes than others who might do so. Of that I am certain.”
Monday’s announcement will tell the full story. Follow TipsGG for complete coverage of Brazil‘s 2026 World Cup squad, match previews, and expert betting analysis throughout the tournament.