The head coach of the Brazilian national team, Italian Carlo Ancelotti, generated great excitement by speaking about the possibility of calling up Neymar to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and acknowledging that he "is on the right track". According to the Argentine News Agency, in an interview with the French media outlet France Football, Ancelotti was asked about the possible presence of the Brazilian star at the World Cup and surprised by highlighting that "he must continue this way and improve his condition". "He is capable of returning to 100% physically. I have said it several times and it is very clear: I will call up players who are physically prepared," added Ancelotti. In this sense, Ancelotti recognized the high level that Neymar is having at Santos, with whom he has played six matches so far this year and has scored three goals and provided three assists: "After his knee injury, he has returned well and is scoring goals. He is a great talent and it is normal for people to think that he can help us win the World Cup". Finally, he even dared to comment on which sector of the field he would place him in: "Where to use him? More centered, closer to the opponent's goal, as he plays now". In case he is finally included in the final list of call-ups, Neymar will have the opportunity to play in his fourth World Cup. The first one was in Brazil 2014, where he guided the "Verdeamarela" to the semifinals, although his back injury in the quarterfinals prevented him from playing in the final stages. In Russia 2018 and in Qatar 2022, the story was practically the same, as Brazil arrived as one of the title contenders, but was eliminated in the quarterfinals due to the respective defeats against Belgium and Croatia. At the 2026 World Cup, where he will go in search of his sixth star to end a 24-year drought, Brazil will share Group C with Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland.
