Neymar Is Back: Brazil Names Its 2026 World Cup Squad — and He's In

It's official. Carlo Ancelotti named Neymar Jr. to Brazil's final 26-man World Cup roster on May 18, ending months of speculation and bringing Brazil's all-time leading scorer back to the international stage for one last run at the trophy that has eluded him his entire career.

The announcement came at Rio de Janeiro's Museum of Tomorrow in a ceremony that doubled as a national event — celebrities, former World Cup winners, and thousands of fans gathered outside chanting his name. When Ancelotti read through the squad alphabetically and skipped past Chelsea's João Pedro, the crowd already knew: Neymar was in.

What It Means for Brazil Fans in NYC

If you're a Brazil fan in New York, this just got a lot more interesting. Neymar's first World Cup match in nearly three years will be at MetLife Stadium on June 13, when Brazil faces Morocco. It's one of the most anticipated group stage matches of the tournament — and it's happening right here.

Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster. With Neymar's inclusion confirmed, expect prices on the secondary market to move fast.

The Return: 2.5 Years in the Making

Neymar last wore the yellow jersey on October 18, 2023, when he suffered a serious knee injury in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. The injury threatened not just his international career but his ability to play at the highest level at all. He underwent surgery, returned to Santos in Brazil, and spent months rebuilding.

Ancelotti had drawn a firm line earlier this year: only players at 100% fitness would make the squad. Neymar wasn't in the March friendlies against France and Croatia for exactly that reason. But his form at Santos was enough to change the calculus by the time the final 26 were chosen.

He arrives at this World Cup with 79 international goals and 128 caps — more appearances and goals than any player in Brazilian history.

Brazil's Full 26-Man Squad

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahçe), Weverton (Grêmio)

Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (PSG), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit)

Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo)

Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth)

Notable Omissions

The squad generated nearly as much debate for who was left out. Rodrygo and Estêvão are both absent through injury — their absence is part of what opened the door for Neymar's inclusion. João Pedro of Chelsea was also cut, a decision Ancelotti described as one of his most difficult. And Thiago Silva, 41 years old and a veteran of the last four World Cups, was not included.

Brazil's Group Stage Schedule at MetLife

All three of Brazil's group stage matches are at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ — making New York the de facto home base for the Seleção's entire group stage run:

• June 13: Brazil vs. Morocco
• June 19: Brazil vs. Haiti
• June 24: Brazil vs. Scotland

With Neymar confirmed, all three matches just became must-see events. The Brazil fan watch guide covers the best spots to catch every match if you're not inside MetLife.

Where to Watch in NYC If You Don't Have Tickets

NYC has one of the largest Brazilian communities on the East Coast, and the fan zones and watch parties will be electric. The June 13 match day guide has everything you need for the Brazil vs. Morocco opener — transit, viewing spots, fan zones, and more.

For the full picture of what's happening across the city on match days, the Brazil World Cup NYC fan guide is your starting point.