Brazilian football is buzzing with anticipation as Carlo Ancelotti, the celebrated Italian tactician at the helm of the Seleção, has unveiled his 26-man squad for the much-anticipated friendlies against France and Croatia later this month. The announcement, made on March 16, 2026, comes as the five-time world champions intensify their preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Yet, amidst the excitement of fresh faces and returning stars, the glaring omission of Neymar—Brazil’s all-time leading scorer—has dominated headlines and sparked heated debate among fans and pundits alike.
Set to face France on March 26 at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts and Croatia on April 1 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Brazil’s squad is a blend of established talents and intriguing new prospects. These matches mark the final international window before Ancelotti names his definitive World Cup roster on May 18, adding an extra layer of significance to every selection and omission. With the World Cup opener against Morocco looming on June 13, every minute on the pitch counts for those hoping to make the cut.
But the story everyone’s talking about? Neymar’s absence. The 34-year-old forward, who recently rejoined Santos from Al Hilal and remains Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, has been left out due to ongoing fitness concerns. Neymar has struggled to regain full match sharpness since suffering a devastating ACL and meniscus injury in October 2023 during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. Despite returning to club action—with four appearances, two goals, and two assists for Santos this season—his journey back to peak condition has been hampered by setbacks, including a missed match on March 10 due to muscle fatigue and another on March 15 for similar reasons.
Addressing the media after releasing his squad, Ancelotti was candid about the decision. “Neymar is not at 100 percent and therefore he is not on the list,” the coach explained. “If he can be at 100 percent 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 emphasized that the call was based on physical readiness, not technical ability, adding, “It’s a physical assessment, not a technical one. Neymar handles the ball very well. For the coaching staff, and for me, he hasn’t yet reached his full potential. He has to work to achieve it.”
For Neymar, the snub was a bitter pill to swallow. Speaking at an event in Sao Paulo, he admitted, “I’m upset and sad for not being picked by Ancelotti for the two friendlies. But my focus remains, day after day, training after training, match after match. We will reach our goal, there’s still the final squad.” His determination to represent Brazil at what could be his last World Cup remains undimmed, but the clock is ticking.
With Neymar sidelined, the spotlight shifts to a new generation of Brazilian stars eager to seize their moment. Among the most notable inclusions is Brentford striker Igor Thiago, who has been rewarded with his first senior Brazil call-up after a sensational Premier League campaign—19 goals in 30 appearances, making him the league’s second top scorer. Thiago’s meteoric rise is matched by that of Bournemouth’s Rayan, another first-timer who has impressed since his January move from Vasco da Gama, scoring twice in seven Premier League outings. Flamengo defender Leo Pereira and Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara also make their senior debuts, reflecting Ancelotti’s willingness to refresh his squad with in-form performers.
Endrick, the teenage prodigy who joined Lyon on loan from Real Madrid in January, returns to the national setup for the first time since Ancelotti took over last summer. The 19-year-old has notched six goals in 12 appearances for Lyon, reigniting hopes that he could be a breakout star on the world stage. “There are players who deserve to be here because they are doing well in their respective leagues, as is the case of Endrick, Rayan, Danilo,” Ancelotti remarked, highlighting the importance of club form in his selection process.
Veteran campaigners Raphinha, Vinícius Júnior, Marquinhos, and Casemiro provide the squad with experience and leadership. Notably, Rodrygo misses out due to injury, while Lucas Paquetá, who moved to Flamengo from West Ham United in January, is another high-profile absentee. The full squad features a strong contingent from Europe’s top leagues, including Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr), Éderson (Fenerbahce), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Ibañez (Al-Ahly), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Wesley (Roma), Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray), Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid), and João Pedro (Chelsea).
Brazil’s path to the World Cup is mapped out with precision. After these March friendlies, the Seleção will face Panama and Egypt in late May and early June, fine-tuning their tactics and squad chemistry before the global showpiece kicks off. Drawn into Group C alongside Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti, expectations are sky-high for a deep run—if not a sixth title.
Adding further intrigue, Ancelotti revealed ongoing discussions with the Brazil federation about extending his contract through the 2030 World Cup. “When a couple wants to carry on I think there’s no problem,” he quipped. “Either before or after the next World Cup we will make this extension official.” The Italian’s calm confidence seems to have permeated the squad, even as tough decisions like Neymar’s omission stir debate.
For now, all eyes are on the upcoming friendlies, where new faces will look to cement their place and established stars aim to sharpen their form. As Ancelotti put it, “We are preparing well for this World Cup. We want to arrive in the best possible condition technically, physically and mentally.” The door remains open for Neymar, but the message is clear: only those at their absolute best will wear the famous yellow shirt this summer.
With the World Cup countdown intensifying, Brazil’s evolving squad promises drama, opportunity, and perhaps a few more surprises before the final roster is set. The next chapter in the Seleção’s storied history is about to be written—and the world will be watching every step.