Carlo Ancelotti included Neymar in Brazil’s final 26-man World Cup squad — despite the Santos forward picking up a grade 2 calf muscle injury before the tournament. Ancelotti didn’t change the squad: “No regrets.” This is his first World Cup as a national team manager. For Brazil, it’s their first World Cup since 2022, when they reached the quarter-finals. They last won in 2002.
Full squad (26 players)
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Alisson | Liverpool |
| GK | Ederson | Fenerbahçe |
| GK | Weverton | Grêmio |
| DEF | Marquinhos (cap.) | PSG |
| DEF | Gabriel Magalhães | Arsenal |
| DEF | Bremer | Juventus |
| DEF | Roger Ibañez | Al-Ahli |
| DEF | Léo Pereira | Flamengo |
| DEF | Danilo | Flamengo |
| DEF | Alex Sandro | Flamengo |
| DEF | Douglas Santos | Zenit |
| DEF | Wesley | Roma |
| MID | Casemiro | Manchester United |
| MID | Bruno Guimarães | Newcastle |
| MID | Lucas Paquetá | Flamengo |
| MID | Fabinho | Al-Ittihad |
| MID | Danilo Santos | Botafogo |
| FWD | Vinícius Júnior | Real Madrid |
| FWD | Raphinha | Barcelona |
| FWD | Matheus Cunha | Manchester United |
| FWD | Gabriel Martinelli | Arsenal |
| FWD | Neymar | Santos |
| FWD | Endrick | Lyon |
| FWD | Igor Thiago | Brentford |
| FWD | Luiz Henrique | Zenit |
| FWD | Rayan | Bournemouth |
Key facts
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti. Captain: Marquinhos.
Notable: Endrick (Lyon, 18) called up. Neymar included despite injury controversy.
Neymar: injury, timeline and when he returns
Neymar arrived at Brazil’s camp with a right calf injury (grade 2 muscle strain). Estimated recovery: 2–3 weeks from late May. This means he will miss the opener against Morocco on June 13.
Realistic return target: the Haiti match (June 19). Ancelotti has not ruled out his availability for the second group game: “If he’s not fit for the first match, he’ll be fit for the second.” No replacement will be brought in.
Context: Neymar had been recovering from an ACL tear since October 2023. He returned to Santos, played several matches — then picked up this new injury. This is his second major setback in two years. From a purely medical standpoint, counting on him as a key player carries risk. But politically, Ancelotti couldn’t leave one of Brazil’s greatest players off what may be his final World Cup squad.
Who plays without Neymar: Brazil’s attacking depth
Vinícius Júnior — the main star. After two Champions League wins with Real Madrid, in the form of his career. Either deployed as a left winger or as a false nine depending on Ancelotti’s system.
Raphinha (Barcelona) — right flank. Best season of his career in terms of goals and assists. A reliable option for Ancelotti.
Endrick (18, Lyon) — young striker with exceptional instinct for goal. Expected as a rotation option or super-sub late in games.
Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) — if a more physical centre-forward is needed. Power, aerial ability, two-footed finisher.
Ancelotti’s tactics
At Real Madrid, Ancelotti preferred an adaptable 4-3-3 focused on balance — not ultra-attacking, not defensive. For Brazil the principle appears similar: Alisson as a world-class goalkeeper; Marquinhos organizing defence; Bruno Guimarães as midfield brain; freedom for the attackers.
Casemiro and Fabinho hold in the double pivot, covering space behind the forwards. Paquetá links up and makes forward runs. This lets Vinícius and Raphinha operate aggressively without defensive exposure.
Group C: three matches
| Date | Match | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| June 13 | Brazil vs Morocco | Without Neymar; Morocco was 2022 WC semi-finalist |
| June 19 | Brazil vs Haiti | Weaker opponent; realistic Neymar debut |
| June | Brazil vs Scotland | Scotland’s first WC since 1998 |
Morocco is a genuine test. Disciplined defence, high physical press, semi-final experience from 2022. For Brazil without Neymar this is harder than it looks on paper.
Summary
Ancelotti’s Brazil has a powerful attack built around Vinícius, a reliable defensive spine with Marquinhos and Alisson, and Bruno Guimarães as midfield intelligence. Neymar is an emotional symbol rather than a tactical cornerstone in his current state. The Morocco opener without him will be the first real test — and will answer whether this Brazil can finally end their 24-year wait for a title.
