Brazil star Neymar refuses to give up on World Cup hopes after Carlo Ancelotti snub for upcoming friendlies - 'The dream lives on'
By Leon Imber
Updated 17/03/2026 at 11:02 GMT
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Carlo Ancelotti named his Brazil squad on Monday for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia. Despite omitting 34-year-old Neymar - Brazil's all-time top goalscorer - the former Real Madrid coach refused to rule out the possibility of the Santos forward being included in the squad for the World Cup, which kicks off in June and will be staged between the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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Brazil international Neymar has not given up on his "dream" of playing for his country at this year’s World Cup.
The 34-year-old Santos forward was left out of the national team’s squad for upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, with boss Carlo Ancelotti believing he is not yet fully recovered from a serious knee injury, which required surgery at the end of the domestic season in December.
On Monday, Neymar said at a Kings League Brazil match: "I'm going to speak out here, because I can't just let this pass.
"Obviously, I'm upset and sad not to have been selected. But the focus remains the same, day after day, training session after training session, match after match.
"We'll achieve our goal. There's still one final squad announcement to go, and the dream lives on. That's it, we're in this together."
Ancelotti said that the forward "has to keep working" and prove his fitness in order to be included in Brazil's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Neymar's last appearance for Brazil came in October 2023 when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) against Uruguay.
He has since regularly suffered injuries, and Ancelotti said the next three months ahead of the World Cup give Brazil's all-time record goalscorer the chance to prove his fitness.
"Neymar is not at 100%, and therefore he is not on the list," Ancelotti said, in quotes reported by ESPN. "Neymar is not at 100% of his capability.
"If he can be at 100% physically, he can be there. Neymar could be at the World Cup. Neymar has to keep working, playing, showcasing his qualities and maintaining a good physical condition."
Brazilian reports stated that Ancelotti attended Santos' match against Mirassol, in which Neymar was absent. Santos coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda said after the 2-2 draw he left Neymar out in order to manage his load following his recent injury history.
The former Barcelona forward, whose £200 million fee to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 remains the world record for a transfer, returned to Santos' line-up and assisted his side's only goal in the 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Ahead of him in Ancelotti's squad, Brentford forward Igor Thiago earned his maiden call-up. The 24-year-old told TNT Sports in February "the biggest dream of my life is to wear my national team jersey, to represent my country".
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His inclusion in the squad for the upcoming friendlies is a positive sign, with it being the final international break before the pre-World Cup fixtures against Panama and Egypt, which take place a week before the summer showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Bournemouth's 19-year-old forward Rayan also earned his first call-up, with Flamengo's Leo Pereira, and Galatasaray's Gabriel Sara also in the squad for the first time.
"We are preparing well for this World Cup," Ancelotti said. "We want to arrive in the best possible condition technically, physically and mentally.
"There are players who deserve to be here because they are doing well in their respective leagues, as is the case of Endrick, Rayan, Danilo."
Brazil are record five-time winners of the World Cup but have not lifted the trophy since 2002. They suffered a disappointing exit four years ago with a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Croatia.
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Head coach Tite left his post after the defeat, with Fernando Diniz and Ramon Menezes taking interim charge before Dorival Junior was appointed the permanent successor.
His reign ended following a 4-1 defeat to Argentina in March 2025, and Ancelotti was appointed in May, leaving Real Madrid for his first international job.
The World Cup will mark Ancelotti's first major tournament in charge of Brazil.
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