Neymar included in Ancelotti's World Cup squad, Joao Pedro misses out for Brazil

Neymar has been included in the Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup, though Carlo Ancelotti has left Chelsea's Joao Pedro out of his group.

Ancelotti named his 26-man squad on Monday, with all Brazilian fans patiently waiting to see if Neymar would make the final squad.

He is Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals and has represented the Selecao at three World Cups, including their home tournament in 2014.

He has scored eight goals and provided three assists in 13 matches at the World Cup.

Only Ronaldo (19), Pele (18) and Jairzinho (12) have directly contributed to more goals at the finals for Brazil.

Neymar is also one of three players to score and assist at the last three World Cups, along with Lionel Messi and Luka Modric.

Brazil are the only team to have taken part in every single World Cup since its first edition in 1930 – this will be their 23rd appearance.

They have won the World Cup more than any other team (five times) and have the best win rate in the tournament’s history (67%, 76 wins in 114 matches).

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has not featured for the Reds since March 18 due to injury, but he has also been named in Ancelotti's squad.

Nineteen-year-old Endrick was also included, though there was no room for Joao Pedro.

Only Erling Haaland (34), Bruno Fernandes (28) and Igor Thiago (23) have directly contributed to more goals in the Premier League this season than Joao Pedro (20 – level with Antoine Semenyo).

Brentford's Thiago is among the forwards in the group, alongside Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Luis Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli, as Brazil gear up to face Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in Group C.

Full Brazil squad: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio); Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Gabriel (Arsenal), Roger Ibanez (Al-Ahi), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Wesley (Roma); Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo); Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luis Henrique (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Neymar (Santos), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).