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Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has not completely closed the door on Neymar for his 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, he confirmed on Saturday.
Despite being left out of the March international friendlies against France and Croatia—having last appeared for the Seleção in October 2023, Neymar has done enough to impress Ancelotti recently to remain in the running for what would be his fourth World Cup appearance (2014, 2018, 2022) in just nine weeks' time.
The 34-year-old striker—who overtook Pelé as Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals across 128 appearances, including eight World Cup goals—is "currently being evaluated by the CBF [Brazilian Football Confederation], by me, and he still has two months to show that he has the qualities to play in the next World Cup," Ancelotti told L'Equipe.
"I am going to call up the players who are physically ready. After his [December] knee injury, Neymar has bounced back well; he's finding the net. He needs to keep going in this direction and build up his fitness. He's heading the right way."
What Has Neymar Done to Change Ancelotti's Mind?
The Brazilian icon and former FC Barcelona star has been dogged by injuries in recent years, pushing him to the periphery of the national team. It was an ACL injury back in 2023 that effectively ended his regular involvement in the yellow and green. He also underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last December, sidelining him for the opening 12 matches of the Brazilian Campeonato Paulista and Serie A for his hometown club, Santos, making his physical condition a major concern for Ancelotti.
"Neymar is not at 100% and therefore he is not on the list," Ancelotti said last month after omitting Neymar from his March squad. "Neymar is not at 100% of his capability. If he can be at 100% physically, he can be there."
Since returning to action in late February, however, Neymar has been a standout on the pitch, registering three goals and two assists across four matches. He sat out Santos's four other fixtures during that stretch—three league games and a CONMEBOL Sudamericana group stage match on Wednesday—due to a combination of his gradual return to full pace and a Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment.
The procedure, which utilizes a player's own blood to regenerate tissue and assist in healing micro-lesions, is actually an encouraging sign rather than another blow for the star. It forms part of Neymar and the club's strategy to restore his health and fitness ahead of the World Cup—something Ancelotti appears to have taken into account.
"[Neymar] will recharge his energy to play the 13 consecutive games that remain until the next [international] break [for the 2026 World Cup]," Santos manager Cuca said this week. "So we used this time, with the coaching staff and physiologists, to recharge his tank and get him going until the middle of the year."
What Has Neymar Said About the 2026 World Cup?
Neymar was devastated after being overlooked for the March international window.
"Hey Ancelotti, what about me?" Neymar was caught saying in mid-March, while lying on a treatment table in Santos's training facility.
"We were not called up," he added in the clip. "I'm sad, obviously. I'll always support the national team, right? Everything is fine. Now, it's time to keep working. Keep improving."
Neymar is determined to represent his country once more, despite being in the latter stages of his career. He stayed positive following Ancelotti's snub and remained driven to win over the Italian coach—something it now appears Neymar may actually pull off.
"I don't know if it's my last year in the national team, but it's coming to an end, and we have to know that," Neymar said on his YouTube channel.
"I can help the national team," he added. "I can contribute in any way, I know the qualities that I have, and I know the impact I have on the field. I know I can add to the team. Obviously, I want to go to the World Cup. Obviously this drives me."
Brazil will compete in Group C at the World Cup this summer, taking on Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in the group stage. Before North America's summer tournament kicks off, however, the Seleção will play two final warm-up friendlies against Panama and Egypt starting in late May, meaning Neymar has just six weeks to prove himself if he hopes to make the cut.