Will Neymar play at World Cup 2026? Brazil star on preliminary roster in boost to final squad chances originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Brazil will continue their proud record as the only nation to compete at every edition of the FIFA World Cup when the 2026 tournament in North America comes around.
The five-time champions are playing under veteran Italian coach and five-time UEFA Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti as they plot a record-extending sixth world title.
However, there is a notable lack of optimism surrounding Brazil's prospects.
Since their most recent World Cup triumph in 2002, the Selecao have lost four out of five quarterfinals. The only time they got beyond that stage, on home soil in 2014, it ended in grand humiliation as Germany hammered them 7-1 in Belo Horizonte.
Brazil's defining star of this underwhelming period — some might say fittingly — is the superstar forward Neymar.
2026 WORLD CUP HQ:World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets
Will Neymar play at World Cup 2026?
Certainly, Neymar will hope to play at the 2026 World Cup finals, and his decision to sign a new contract with Santos for this year would suggest he is eager to prove his worth to Ancelotti between now and June.
On May 11, Brazil released their preliminary World Cup squad, a 55-man list of players from which the final 26 individuals must be selected. Neymar was included on this list, meaning he is still in the running to make the final roster.
This does not guarantee he will be part of this month's final roster, but it does at least indicate that he is in Ancelotti's thinking. The final Brazil list of 26 players is expected to be announced on Monday, May 18.
A final audition for a place in Ancelotti's squad went badly awry the weekend prior to the squad being named. Santos went down to a 3-0 defeat against Cortiba and Neymar was mistakenly substituted when he received treatment for a knock at the side of the pitch.
Robinho Jr. was sent on in his place due to a mistake from the fourth official. Neymar was cautioned by the referee over his protests and attempts to re-enter the pitch.
FULL STORY:Neymar has all-time freak out after officials mistakenly call for star's substitution
Neymar is Brazil's all-time leading scorer, having gone past the great Pele with a brace against Bolivia in September 2023. A month later, in a World Cup qualifier versus Uruguay, he suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee.
The 33-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain star has not played for his country since and was overlooked for recent squads by Ancelotti, but the Italian has never ruled out a return.
"He has to be 100%," Ancelotti told Esporte Record when asked about Neymar's place in his World Cup plans.
"There are many players who are very good, I need to choose players who are 100%. It's not just Neymar; it could be Vinicius. If Vinicius is at 90%, I'll call up another player who is at 100%, because it's a team that has a very high level of competence, especially up front. Up front, we have really many good players."
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo suffering an ACL injury in early March robbed Ancelotti of one of his first-choice attackers and potentially opened up space for a Neymar return. Nevertheless, Brazil remain very well-stocked in wide and support attacking positions.
MORE:Neymar's record at the FIFA World Cup
Is Neymar injured?
Neymar is back playing club football at the moment, but has struggled with a meniscus issue in his left knee that, according to reports in December 2025, would likely require arthroscopic surgery.
"I'm feeling better and better," Neymar said in late November. "This injury is sad, it's annoying. But it's nothing that will stop me from doing anything. That's why I keep playing."
Santos play their first game of the 2026 Paulista A — the Sao Paulo regional championship — on January 10. It is unclear at the moment when Neymar will be involved in matches again.
MORE:A list of the most notable star players struggling with injuries ahead of the 2026 World Cup
What team does Neymar play for?
Neymar plays for Brazilian team Santos, his boyhood club which he rejoined in January 2025 following an injury-ruined stint with Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal.
On November 28, 2025, Neymar started and scored in Santos' 3-0 win over Sport — a result that moved his club out of the Campeonato Brasileirao Serie A relegation zone on goal difference with two games of the 2025 season remaining. They ended the campaign in 12th place in the standings.
When was Neymar's last World Cup?
Neymar played for Brazil at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where he scored in both their knockout round matches against South Korea and Croatia.
Despite scoring a sensational solo goal in the game against Croatia, Neymar was left crestfallen as the Selecao suffered a penalty shootout defeat.
Overall, Neymar has scored eight goals in 13 appearances across three separate World Cups.
World Cup
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Brazil 2014
5
4
1
Russia 2018
5
2
2
Qatar 2022
3
2
1
TOTAL
13
8
4
MORE:Brazil's all-time record goal-scorers throughout history
