Ancelotti names Neymar in Brazil squad but no room for Thiago Silva

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has announced his 26-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026. 

The big headline from the extravagant unveiling of Brazil’s squad for this summer’s trip up to North America is that Neymar has been recalled to the Selecao by Ancelotti.

The 34-year-old attacker, who is Brazil’s all-time top goal scorer with 79 goals in 128 caps, hasn’t played for the national team since October 2023, with persistent injuries blighting the next year or so of his career before returning back to Santos in January 2025.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain man will not, however, be joined by Porto centre-back Thiago Silva, despite the 41-year-old having been named in Brazil’s 55-man provisional squad, with Ancelotti, who worked with him at both AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, opting not to name in the 26.

Other surprise absentees for the Brazilians include Chelsea striker Joao Pedro, Tottenham Hotspur attacker Richarlison and Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento, albeit the latter would have been the third-choice goalkeeper behind Alisson and Ederson.

Aside from Neymar, the star attractions in this Brazil squad consist of El Clasico rivals Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, of Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, with the likes of Arsenal’s Gabriel, PSG centre-back Marquinhos and departing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro forming the defensive spine of Ancelotti’s squad.

Two of the surprise picks, or at least the ones that appeared to be up in the air, would be Premier League duo Rayan and Igor Thiago, who have both excelled at AFC Bournemouth and Brentford, respectively.