By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
Neymar has been included in Brazil’s 55-man preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a major step in the superstar forward’s return to the international stage ahead of football’s biggest tournament.
The inclusion of Neymar headlines Brazil’s provisional list as the Seleção begin preparations for the World Cup in North America, with the veteran attacker expected to play a key leadership role for the five-time world champions.
Now back playing for Santos FC, Neymar’s selection comes after months of fitness concerns and speculation over his international future following injury setbacks that limited his involvement over the past year.
Despite those concerns, Brazil’s coaching staff have retained faith in the country’s all-time leading scorer, whose experience and creativity remain central to the team’s ambitions of reclaiming the World Cup title.
Neymar joins a star-studded attacking group that also includes Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli, Richarlison and teenage sensation Endrick.
The squad announcement immediately sparked excitement among Brazilian supporters, many of whom hope the tournament could represent Neymar’s final opportunity to lead the nation to a sixth World Cup crown.
Since making his senior debut for Brazil in 2010, Neymar has remained one of the defining figures of his generation, winning multiple domestic and continental titles during spells with FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Al Hilal.
Although injuries have repeatedly disrupted his international career, Neymar’s influence within the Brazil squad remains enormous both on and off the pitch.
Brazil’s preliminary list also includes experienced names such as Alisson Becker, Casemiro and Thiago Silva alongside a new generation of emerging stars.
The final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be confirmed closer to the start of the tournament, which will be hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico.
Brazil’s 55-man preliminary squad :
GOALKEEPERS
Alisson – Liverpool (ENG)
Ederson – Fenerbahçe (TUR)
Bento – Al-Nassr (KSA)
Hugo Souza – Corinthians (BRA)
John – Nottingham Forest (ENG)
Carlos Miguel – Palmeiras (BRA)
CENTRE-BACKS
Marquinhos – PSG (FRA)
Thiago Silva – Porto (POR)
Gabriel Magalhães – Arsenal (ENG)
Bremer – Juventus (ITA)
Léo Pereira – Flamengo (BRA)
Ibañez – Al-Ahli (KSA)
Alexsandro – Lille (FRA)
Fabrício Bruno – Cruzeiro (BRA)
Beraldo – PSG (FRA)
Vitor Reis – Girona (ESP)
Murillo – Nottingham Forest (ENG)
RIGHT-BACKS
Wesley – Roma (ITA)
Danilo – Flamengo (BRA)
Paulo Henrique – Vasco (BRA)
Vitinho – Botafogo (BRA)
LEFT-BACKS
Alex Sandro – Flamengo (BRA)
Douglas Santos – Zenit (RUS)
Luciano Juba – Bahia (BRA)
Caio Henrique – Monaco (FRA)
Kaiki – Cruzeiro (BRA)
Carlos Augusto – Inter Milan (ITA)
MIDFIELDERS
Casemiro – Manchester United (ENG)
Bruno Guimarães – Newcastle (ENG)
Fabinho – Al-Ittihad (KSA)
Andrey Santos – Chelsea (ENG)
Danilo – Botafogo (BRA)
Lucas Paquetá – Flamengo (BRA)
Gabriel Sara – Galatasaray (TUR)
João Gomes – Wolverhampton (ENG)
Andreas Pereira – Palmeiras (BRA)
Joelinton – Newcastle (ENG)
Gerson – Cruzeiro (BRA)
Matheus Pereira – Cruzeiro (BRA)
FORWARDS
Vini Jr. – Real Madrid (ESP)
Raphinha – Barcelona (ESP)
Matheus Cunha – Manchester United (ENG)
Luiz Henrique – Zenit (RUS)
Gabriel Martinelli – Arsenal (ENG)
João Pedro – Chelsea (ENG)
Estêvão – Chelsea (ENG)
Neymar – Santos (BRA)
Endrick – Lyon (FRA)
Rayan – Bournemouth (ENG)
Antony – Real Betis (ESP)
Igor Thiago – Brentford (ENG)
Pedro – Flamengo (BRA)
Richarlison – Tottenham (ENG)
Igor Jesus – Nottingham Forest (ENG)
Kaio Jorge – Cruzeiro (BRA)
Leave feedback about this