Neymar’s 2026 World Cup Dream Fades Away
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Brasilia
- Mar 23, 2026
- 663
The prospects of Neymar Jr. featuring in the 2026 FIFA World Cup appear increasingly remote, as tensions with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) intensify and persistent fitness concerns continue to cast a shadow over his international future.
According to reports from CNN Brazil, insiders within the federation have described Neymar’s potential inclusion in the national squad as “extremely complicated,” with his chances now bordering on improbable.
The situation escalated after Brazil’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, omitted Neymar from the squad for upcoming warm-up fixtures against France and Croatia. Speaking at an event in São Paulo, Neymar openly expressed disappointment, later releasing a video in which he pledged to regain full fitness and fight for a return. However, his reaction reportedly did little to improve his standing within the federation.
A recent episode further strained relations. Ancelotti had travelled privately to watch Neymar in action during a Santos FC match against Mirassol, intending to assess his form firsthand. Yet Neymar did not feature in the game, citing workload management, and notably made no effort to meet or communicate with the coach. This incident has reportedly been interpreted by officials as a lack of professionalism and commitment.
Fitness remains a critical concern. Since sustaining a serious knee injury in 2023, Neymar has struggled to maintain consistency, with injuries severely limiting his appearances. Despite his return to Santos FC, he has been unable to demonstrate the level of match fitness required for top-tier international competition. Consequently, confidence within the CBF regarding his reliability has diminished.
Ancelotti has clarified that Neymar’s inclusion in the World Cup squad remains conditional upon achieving full fitness and proving his form through regular performances. At present, however, he falls short of those expectations.
While Neymar still has a limited window to showcase his capabilities with Santos this season, a return to the national setup appears increasingly unlikely. With the federation and coaching staff gradually shifting focus toward younger talent, and given the recent controversies, only an exceptional turnaround could revive his World Cup ambitions.
At 34, Neymar remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, but recurring injuries and off-field developments now threaten to curtail what was once expected to be a defining final chapter in his illustrious international career.