Neymar has been left out of Brazil’s squad for March’s friendlies ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup


Neymar was ruled out of Brazil’s friendlies in the United States this month. The 34-year-old former captain has struggled to stay fit since tearing his cruciate ligament in October 2023.

Brazil will play France in Boston on March 26 and Croatia in Orlando four days later.

«This is a team that takes into account players who are 100% fit,» Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday. «We had important injuries to players like Eder Militão, Bruno Guimarães, Estêvão and Rodrygo.»

Neymar did not play well in Santos’ 1-1 draw against Corinthians in the Brazilian league on Sunday.

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Hours later, Neymar told media at an event in Sao Paulo that he was «angry and sad» at not being in Brazil’s squad for the two friendlies.

«But my focus remains day after day, training after training, match after match. We will achieve our goal, there is still the final selection,» Neymar said.

The World Cup selection will be announced on May 18. The team’s final warm-up is on May 31 against Panama in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil team

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce)

Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Danilo (Flamengo), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint-Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Wesley (Roma) kshf.

Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)

Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), João Pedro (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid)

Published on March 17, 2026



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