No Neymar for Brazil's last friendlies before Ancelotti names World Cup squad

Brazil's national soccer team head coach Carlo Ancelotti announces the players who will play friendly matches against France and Croatia in preparation for the upcoming World Cup, in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, March 16, 2026. (AP )

RIO DE JANEIRO, March 17 (AP): Neymar was left out of Brazil's friendlies in the United States this month. The 34-year-old former captain has struggled to be fit since he tore his ACL in October 2023.

Brazil will play France in Boston on March 26 and Croatia in Orlando four days later.

"This is a squad that takes into account players who are 100% fit," Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday. "We had important injuries to players like Eder Militão, Bruno Guimarães, Estêvão, and Rodrygo.”

Neymar didn't play well on Sunday in Santos' 1-1 draw with Corinthians in the Brazilian league.

Hours later, Neymar told the media at an event in Sao Paulo he was "upset and sad” for not being in Brazil's squad for the two friendlies.

"But my focus remains, day after day, training after training, match after match. We will reach our goal, there's still the final squad,” Neymar said.

The World Cup squad will be announced on May 18. The team's last warmup will be on May 31 against Panama in Rio de Janeiro.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce)

Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Danilo (Flamengo), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Wesley (Roma)

Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)

Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), João Pedro (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid)