Neymar Named in Brazil's Preliminary 55-Man World Cup Squad — Must Survive Final Cut on May 18

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti included Neymar Jr. in the Seleção's 55-player preliminary squad submitted to FIFA ahead of the May 11 deadline, according to reports published on May 9. Neymar, 34, has been recovering from a left knee ACL injury sustained in October 2023 and returned to Santos in early 2026, recording 5 goals and 3 assists in 12 matches across all competitions. Ancelotti's decision to include him in the preliminary list — a working pool of 35–55 players that FIFA does not publish publicly — gives Neymar a pathway to the final 26-man squad, which Ancelotti will announce on May 18 in Rio de Janeiro. Neymar is not guaranteed a spot: Ancelotti has stated he requires full physical fitness at tournament level before confirming any player's place. Brazil are in Group E alongside Morocco, and their tournament campaign will already be depleted: Rodrygo (ACL) is confirmed out, Eder Militão (hamstring surgery) is confirmed out, and Estevao (Grade 4 hamstring) remains in serious doubt despite returning to Palmeiras training in early May. Lionel Messi had publicly voiced support for Neymar's inclusion in April. Brazil's Group E opponents are Morocco, and two other nations — Neymar's former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappé (France) is in a separate group. The inclusion in the preliminary squad follows months of speculation over Neymar's fitness and appetite to compete at 34.