Neymar Included in Brazil's 26-Man World Cup Squad

rio. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti has included Brazil's forward Neymar in the 26-man squad announced for this year's World Cup.

Currently playing for Brazilian club Santos, the 34-year-old Neymar is the country's highest-scoring player with 79 goals in 128 matches.

Having faced various problems due to injuries, he had not played for the Brazilian national team since 2023. With his selection in this squad, it is certain that he will get the opportunity to play in the World Cup for the fourth time. Previously, he has played in the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups.

Coach Ancelotti said at a ceremony held in Rio de Janeiro when announcing the squad, "We spent the whole year analyzing Neymar. We felt that he has been consistent in the recent period and is in good physical condition." Fans cheered as Neymar's name was announced. Ancelotti, 66, who was appointed Brazil's head coach last year, said, "We spent the whole year analyzing Neymar. We felt that he has been consistent in the recent period and is in good physical condition."

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who missed the last 10 games due to injury for Liverpool, has also been selected in the squad. Similarly, Manchester United's Casemiro and Matheus Cunha, Newcastle's midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, Arsenal's defender Gabriel, Brentford's striker Igor Thiago, and Bournemouth's forward Ryan have also made it to the squad.

However, forward Joao Pedro, who has been Chelsea's top scorer this Premier League season with 15 goals and five assists, did not make it to the squad. Other players who made it to the squad include La Liga stars Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid and Raphinha of Barcelona. Similarly, 19-year-old striker Endrick, who is on loan at Lyon from Real Madrid, has also made it to the squad.

Five-time World Cup winner Brazil is in Group 'C'. They will face Morocco on June 13, Haiti on June 20, and Scotland in their final group match four days later. The expanded 48-team World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, begins on June 11.

Brazil's full squad for the World Cup is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio).

Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Weigl (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint Petersburg).

Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (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 Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Ryan (Bournemouth).