Carlo Ancelotti has unveiled Brazil's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. The biggest talking point was the inclusion of Neymar Jr., who will feature in his fourth World Cup. The 34-year-old Santos forward had not been called up since 2023 and was left off March's friendlies amid ongoing hamstring and knee issues, but the country's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals will get another shot at the title.
The squad also features Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bruno Guimarães, among other stars. Marquinhos and Casemiro will share captaincy duties. "We want to be the most resilient team in the world," Ancelotti said. "I'm not afraid to say that we want to win the World Cup, because there are high expectations."
Brazil's road to the tournament was unusually difficult. The Seleção finished fifth in the South American qualifiers, ten points adrift of reigning champions Argentina. A 4-1 defeat in Buenos Aires cost head coach Dorival Júnior his job, and Ancelotti was appointed in his place. Qualification was sealed against Paraguay on June 10, 2025, with Vinícius Júnior scoring the decisive goal and Raphinha finishing as the team's top scorer with five goals.
Brazil, the only nation to have appeared at every World Cup and the tournament's most successful side with five titles, will open their Group C campaign against Morocco on June 13th in East Rutherford, New Jersey. They then face Haiti on June 19th in Philadelphia, before closing the group stage against Scotland on June 24th in Miami.
Brazil 2026 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahçe), Weverton (Gremio)
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Roger Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Wesley (Roma)
Midfielders: Casemiro (Manchester United), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Danilo Santos (Botafogo)
Forwards: Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Neymar (Santos), Endrick (Lyon), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Rayan (Bournemouth)
