Coach Ancelotti warns that Neymar might miss his last World Cup

Neymar remains troubled by injuries, causing him to miss Brazil’s friendlies and putting his participation in the 2026 World Cup in jeopardy, which adds instability to the Selecao squad.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti is close to finalizing Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, but Neymar’s future remains uncertain. The 33-year-old star has repeatedly been absent from recent camps due to incomplete recovery from multiple injuries, making his chances of playing in the world’s biggest tournament uncertain.

Since his last appearance for Selecao in October 2023, when Brazil lost 0-2 to Uruguay and Neymar left the field on a stretcher due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, he has yet to return to the national team. The Brazilian forward spent almost a year in treatment and rehabilitation before returning to play for Al-Hilal in October 2024, then transferring to Santos earlier this year. However, limited playing time and a recent groin injury have left Neymar insufficiently convincing for Ancelotti to call him up for friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia.

The Italian coach emphasized that he will only select players who are in top physical condition: “Players who are not fully fit cannot compete throughout the tournament. We need players ready at their highest level, both physically and mentally.” Ancelotti also mentioned that he has not yet spoken directly with Neymar and will make a decision once the player has fully recovered.

Additionally, Neymar’s current contract with Santos is entering a crucial phase. President Marcelo Teixeira confirmed that Santos wants to keep the star, but any agreement depends on his fitness and the goal of the 2026 World Cup. “The Neymar project is not just about six months or a year, but focused on the 2026 World Cup. We and Neymar will regularly evaluate to find common ground,” Teixeira shared.

The 2026 World Cup in Canada, the US, and Mexico could be Neymar’s last chance to shine with Selecao. However, with ongoing fitness issues, fans will have to wait until the last moment to know if Brazil’s top football star will be ready to take part. This poses a difficult challenge for Ancelotti in building the strongest team, balancing player health while aiming to end Brazil’s 24-year wait for a World Cup title.

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