Brazil national team head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Neymar will not be included in the squad for the upcoming international friendlies, citing fitness concerns, while teenage forward Endrick has been recalled following a strong run of form.
Neymar, currently with Santos, has been absent from international duty since October 2023 due to a serious knee injury. Although the 34-year-old has recently returned to action at club level, featuring in four matches since mid-February, Ancelotti emphasised that he is not yet at full fitness.
“I haven’t called him up because he’s not 100 per cent,” Ancelotti stated, while leaving the door open for Neymar’s inclusion in the final squad for the upcoming global tournament.
Brazil are scheduled to face France national team in Boston on March 27, followed by a clash with Croatia national team in Orlando four days later, as preparations intensify ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
The five-time world champions will begin their campaign against Morocco national team in New Jersey on June 13, before also taking on Haiti national team and Scotland national team in Group C, as they pursue a first World Cup title since 2002.
In addition to Neymar’s absence, both Rodrygo of Real Madrid and Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United are unavailable due to injury.
Endrick, 19, returns to the national setup after last featuring a year ago, bringing his total to 14 international caps. His recall follows an impressive spell on loan at Lyon from Real Madrid, underlining his growing importance within Ancelotti’s long-term plans. The Italian manager was instrumental in bringing the young forward to Madrid from Palmeiras in 2024.
Ancelotti has also introduced fresh talent into the squad, handing first-time call-ups to Igor Thiago of Brentford and teenage prospect Rayan from Bournemouth, signalling a blend of youth development and squad evolution ahead of the tournament.
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce)
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Wesley (AS Roma)
Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Luiz Henrique (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
