Neymar races against time for Brazil’s call-up for the 2026 World Cup

Neymar will miss Santos’ Brazilian championship match against Mirassol on Tuesday with persistent muscle fatigue, which will deal another blow to the forward’s hopes of forcing his way back into the Brazil squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Santos said Neymar’s absence was precautionary but the timing is tricky as Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti has organized a trip from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo to see the 34-year-old in action.

This is reported by sources connected to the Brazilian FA (CBF) and the technical committee of the national team Reuters‌Neymar’s omission from Tuesday’s match was met with surprise and frustration by the CBF and Ancelotti, who had hoped to assess the number 10 up close.

Ancelotti has made it clear that he will only select players who are fully fit and can meet Brazil’s physical demands.

Missing Tuesday’s match could cost Neymar a place in the national team squad to be announced on March 16 for the friendlies against France and Croatia on March 26 and 31.

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, has not played for his country since October 2023, when he suffered serious knee injuries that hampered his comeback.

Since returning to Saudi Arabia boyhood club Santos in January 2025, he has shown flashes of his old form but has struggled to string together a consistent run of games.

Brazil’s attacking options include several in-form players such as Vinicius Jr., Estevao, Raphinha, Joao Pedro, Gabriel Martinelli, Endrick, Igor Jesus and Matheus Cunha.

Ancelotti will continue his visit to avoid the impression that he was just visiting Neymar, even if that was the main reason for his trip a7rtjx.

Neymar is expected to be available for Sunday’s match against Corinthians at Vila Belmiro. However, Ancelotti will attend Botafogo vs Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro that day, with his assistant coaches expected to watch the Corinthians match.

Time appears to be running out for Neymar as Brazil will make their final World Cup call-up in May, with the finals to be held in Canada, Mexico and the US from June 11 to July 19.

Published on March 10, 2026