- Brazil's final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup has been announced by Carlo Ancelotti at the Granja Comary training base.
- Neymar is omitted following his prolonged injury recovery and a clear conversation about his lack of competitive minutes.
- Endrick is included as the third striker, with Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo flanking Richarlison up front.
- Casemiro retains his place as the defensive anchor despite ongoing European media debate over his form.
- Alisson and Ederson are the two senior goalkeepers, with Bento included as the third choice.
Neymar Left Out, the Conversation Already Had
Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Brazil's final 26-man squad at a press conference at Granja Comary on Friday, and the headline omission was the one everyone had been bracing for. Neymar, capped 128 times and the country's all-time leading scorer, was not selected.
The reasoning was clear. Neymar has played fewer than 600 competitive minutes across the past two seasons combined, and his most recent two appearances for Al Hilal ended in early substitutions.
Neymar issued a brief statement thanking the manager for the conversation and wishing the squad well.
Endrick In, Richarlison Keeps the Shirt
The 19-year-old Endrick has been included as the third senior striker, a decision Ancelotti has been telegraphing in friendlies for two months. Ancelotti described him as the player most likely to change the rhythm of a tight match from the bench.
Richarlison retains the first-choice centre-forward shirt. The Tottenham striker has worked specifically on his hold-up play through the warm-up window. The expectation is that Richarlison will start the opening match, with Endrick coming on around the hour mark if the game is still in the balance.
The Casemiro Decision
Ancelotti was direct on the question, saying that nobody else in the squad reads passing lanes the way Casemiro does.
Bruno Guimarães and André are confirmed as the other senior central midfielders, with Joelinton and Andreas Pereira providing depth. Lucas Paquetá is included after his legal saga cleared earlier this year.
In goal, the trio is settled: Alisson, Ederson and Bento.
Frequently asked
Q01Why was Neymar left out of Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad?
Ancelotti cited insufficient competitive minutes following Neymar's prolonged recovery from injury. The forward has played under 600 minutes across the past two seasons.
Q02Is Endrick in Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad?
Yes. The 19-year-old Real Madrid striker has been selected as the third senior centre-forward.
Q03Who is Brazil's first-choice goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup?
Alisson Becker, with Ederson as the reserve and Bento as the third choice.
