Brazil’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup have been overshadowed by uncertainty surrounding their star forward, Neymar. Coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed last night that Neymar will not feature in Brazil’s upcoming friendly matches against France and Croatia, raising questions about his readiness for the tournament.
These friendlies were widely viewed as Neymar’s final opportunity to regain form and prove his fitness before the World Cup kicks off. However, Ancelotti, the Italian tactician renowned for his meticulous approach, made it clear that Neymar is not yet fully fit. According to him, there is no compromise when it comes to selecting players who are not at peak physical condition, regardless of their stature.
Despite his omission from the squad for the friendlies, Ancelotti did not completely rule out Neymar’s inclusion in the World Cup squad. He emphasised that the forward must be fully fit to earn a place. “If Neymar is one hundred per cent fit, he can play in the World Cup. His physical condition must be excellent. He is not included in this list because he is not fully ready. The final squad and these preparation matches are separate matters. Right now, I need fully fit players. Neymar must train regularly, work hard, and demonstrate his abilities in top condition,” Ancelotti said during the squad announcement.
Since suffering a knee injury in October 2023, Neymar has not donned the yellow jersey for Brazil. He has played four matches for Santos since mid-February, providing one assist in his most recent appearance. Whether his former brilliance has returned remains uncertain, though Neymar himself insists he is committed to making the World Cup. “I am working to play in the World Cup. The coaching staff will make the decision. Whether I am in the squad or not, I will continue supporting the Seleção,” he stated after Monday’s match.
The absence of Neymar from these friendlies increases the challenge for him to secure a World Cup spot. Before the squad is finalised in May, he must prove his fitness and form by performing for Santos.
Meanwhile, Brazil has called up several new faces. Nineteen-year-old forward Endrick, fresh from his Olympic Lyon performances, has returned to the squad. First-time call-ups also include Brentford striker Igor Thiago and Bournemouth’s nineteen-year-old talent Ryan Vitor.
The schedule for Brazil’s warm-up matches and World Cup fixtures in Group C is as follows:
| Date | Opponent | Time & Venue (Bangladesh Time) | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 March | France | 10:00 PM, Boston | Friendly Match |
| 1 April | Croatia | 6:00 AM, Orlando | Friendly Match |
| 13 June | Morocco | TBD | World Cup Group C |
| TBD | Haiti | TBD | World Cup Group C |
| TBD | Scotland | TBD | World Cup Group C |
Brazil Squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Bento, Ederson
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Bremer, Danilo, Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhães, Ibanez, Leo Pereira, Marquinhos, Wesley
Midfielders: Andre Santos, Casemiro, Danilo Barbosa, Fabinho, Gabriel Sara
Forwards: Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Thiago, Joao Pedro, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, Rafinha, Ryan Vitor, Vinicius Junior
Neymar’s fitness will be pivotal to Brazil’s World Cup campaign, as the team relies on a balance of experience and emerging talent to challenge for global glory.