7M - Neymar excluded from Ancelotti Brazil World Cup plans according to report

Neymar and Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti remain central figures in an ongoing discussion regarding the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad selection. The Santos forward continues his comeback trail following injury setbacks, while Ancelotti prioritizes consistent form and match rhythm for national team consideration.

The 34-year-old attacker has shown encouraging signs of recovery during recent matches for Santos. In a 2-0 victory over Remo, he provided a key assist and influenced both goals, demonstrating technical quality and creative vision. Despite not reaching peak fitness, he remained the most threatening player on the field and consistently attracted defensive attention. His presence has enhanced Santos attacking dynamics and chance creation as the club pursues improvement in the Brazilian Serie A standings.

However, Neymar faces a setback after receiving a yellow card that rules him out of the upcoming match against Flamengo. This suspension limits valuable playing time to impress Ancelotti before the final roster decision. The Brazil manager is expected to announce his 26-player World Cup squad on May 18, leaving Neymar with minimal opportunity to strengthen his case.

According to Andre Loffredo of Sportv, Ancelotti remains unconvinced by the attention surrounding Neymar and focuses instead on players delivering reliable performances. Reports indicate the coach has not included Neymar in his current evaluation pool for the tournament. Ancelotti has monitored the forward recent outings and sees insufficient justification for a call-up at this stage.

Neymar has recorded 12 goal contributions across his last 10 appearances for Santos as he works to regain international recognition. His omission from recent friendlies against France and Croatia intensified scrutiny, but the player maintains commitment to proving his readiness. With limited matches remaining, the veteran forward must maximize every opportunity to influence Ancelotti final decision.