The question of whether Neymar will be included in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup under coach Carlo Ancelotti remains unresolved. Ancelotti is scheduled to announce the final squad on 18 May, leaving the forward’s future in the national team uncertain. Ahead of the decision, Brazilian public opinion has been assessed in a nationwide survey conducted by the political, social and economic research institute ‘Genial/Quaest’.
Survey Findings
The survey indicates a closely divided public opinion regarding Neymar’s return to the national team. It also reflects broader sentiment towards the upcoming World Cup and the team’s prospects.
| Category | Result (%) |
|---|---|
| Support Neymar’s inclusion | 47 |
| Oppose Neymar’s inclusion | 45 |
| No opinion | 8 |
| Not excited about World Cup | 54 |
| Very excited about World Cup | 12 |
| Not very excited | 32 |
| Believe Brazil will not win World Cup | 68 |
Published on Thursday, the survey shows that 47% of respondents support Neymar’s inclusion, while 45% are against it, and 8% remain undecided.
In addition, 54% of respondents stated they feel no excitement about the upcoming World Cup. Only 12% described themselves as very excited, while 32% said they are not particularly enthusiastic. Furthermore, 68% of those surveyed believe Brazil will not win the tournament, marking the highest recorded level of pessimism since the survey series began in April 2023.
Methodology and Institution
The ‘Genial/Quaest’ initiative is a joint project combining the financial expertise of ‘Genial Investimentos’ with the research and analytical work of ‘Quest Consultoria e Pesquisa’, founded by CEO Felipe Nunes. The organisation is known for its large-scale surveys on political behaviour, electoral trends and public opinion in Brazil. The current study was based on responses from 2,004 individuals aged 16 and above, collected between 10 and 13 April.
Regional and Socioeconomic Trends
The survey highlights notable regional differences. In Brazil’s southern region, opposition to Neymar’s inclusion is more pronounced, while in the north-east a majority supports his return. The central-west and northern regions also show support for his inclusion. In the south-east, opinions are evenly split. Neymar’s club Santos is based in São Paulo, within this region.
Income-based analysis also shows variation. Among lower-income respondents, opinion is almost evenly divided. However, higher-income groups show a slightly stronger tendency in favour of Neymar’s inclusion.
Coach and Team Performance Context
The survey also assessed public perception of coach Carlo Ancelotti. According to the findings, 41% of respondents are satisfied with his work, 29% are dissatisfied, and 30% offered no opinion. Under his management, Brazil has played 10 matches, winning five, drawing two and losing three, resulting in a 56% win rate.
Neymar’s National Team Situation
Neymar, aged 34, has been absent from the national team for more than two years due to injury and fitness concerns. His last appearance for Brazil was in October 2023 during a World Cup qualifying match. He returned to his youth club Santos in early 2025, where he has played 36 matches, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists.
His recent performances have been affected by recurring muscle and ligament injuries, limiting consistency. According to Brazilian media reports, Ancelotti continues to monitor his condition closely. Santos are set to play several key fixtures, including matches against Fluminense, Bahia and Palmeiras, before the squad announcement, giving Neymar limited opportunities to strengthen his case for selection.
World Cup Context
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on 11 June, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Brazil has been placed in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland. Their opening match will be against Morocco on 13 June at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.