Neymar's chances of getting into the Brazil squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are fading away rapidly. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti has once again ignored Neymar for the upcoming international matches in March.

Brazil will lock horns against France and Croatia on 26 March and 31 March in friendly matches hosted in the United States. Ancelotti is yet to include Neymar in a match-day squad following his appointment as head coach on 12 May 2025.

Following another snub from Brazil's national football team on March 17, the star Brazilian expressed his disappointment while speaking at a media event in Sao Paulo.

"Obviously I'm upset and sad not to have been selected," Neymay said. "But my focus remains, day after day, training after training, match after match. We will reach our goal, there's still the final squad.”

Ancelotti has explained his decision to snub the veteran forward after the star forward was left on the bench in the match between Santos and Corinthians.

“Neymar is not at 100 percent and therefore he is not on the list," Ancelotti said. “He is not at 100 percent of his capability. If he can be at 100 percent physically, he can be there. He could be at the World Cup. He has to keep working, playing, showcasing his qualities, and maintaining good physical condition.”

Ancelotti has called up Endrick, who is on loan at Lyon from Real Madrid. He has scored six goals for the French side in just 12 matches. Besides that, the 19-year-old has scored three goals in 14 caps for the Brazil senior national team.

Ancelotti will announce Brazil's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Brazil on 18 May. Only time will tell whether the legendary forward will make the team or not.

Neymar’s last dance in the FIFA World Cup

Neymar is Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer, with 79 goals in 128 matches. Neymar broke Pele’s record after scoring two goals in a World Cup qualifier match against Bolivia.

In 2023, the 34-year-old left Paris Saint-Germain and joined Saudi club Al Hilal. At Al Hilal, he suffered a season-ending knee injury in October 2023. He tore his ACL and meniscus in the left knee and has been struggling to regain his form ever since.

The former Barcelona man joined Santos in January 2025 and scored eight goals in 20 league matches last season. He has scored two goals and provided one assist in two matches in the Brazilian Serie A this season.

The former Brazil captain has publicly stated his desire to be back in the national side and represent the five-time champions in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has scored eight goals and set up three assists in his 13 appearances in World Cup history. It will be exciting to see if the star forward can impress Carlo Ancelotti and get back into the squad.

Brazil squad for March friendlies:

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Bento, Ederson

Defenders: Alex Sandro, Bremer, Danilo, Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ibanez, Leo Pereira, Marquinhos, Wesley.

Midfielders: Andrey Santos, Casemiro, Danilo, Fabinho, Gabriel Sara.

Forwards: Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Thiago, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, Rayan, Vinicius Junior, Joao Pedro.

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