Brazil Drops Neymar, Vinicius from Brazil’s Final Qualifiers Squad
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has chosen not to recall Neymar and has excused Vinicius Junior from duty as the five-time world champions wrap up their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Chile and Bolivia next month.
Neymar, 33, has not featured for the Seleção since November 2023 and only returned to club football with Santos in January after a string of injuries. His comeback has been further slowed by recent fitness issues.
“Neymar had a small problem last week,” Ancelotti told reporters in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, without elaborating on the extent of the concern.
Brazilian outlets reported that the country’s all-time top scorer, with 79 goals in 128 appearances, felt discomfort in his thigh during training.
With Brazil already qualified for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Ancelotti suggested there was no need to gamble on players carrying knocks.
“Neymar, we don’t need to test him. Everyone knows him. Like the others, he must arrive in good physical condition to help the national team give its best at the World Cup,” the Italian coach said.
The forward had been named in Dorival Junior’s March squad but withdrew before matches against Colombia and Argentina because of injury.
Vinicius spared heavy travel
Real Madrid star Vinicius, who scored the decisive goal in June against Paraguay to secure qualification, will also miss the September camp.
He is suspended for the clash with Chile on September 5 at the Maracanã and will be rested rather than sent to play at altitude against Bolivia four days later.
Ancelotti’s staff described the decision as a matter of player management rather than punishment, with the 24-year-old considered integral to Brazil’s plans next summer.
The absences of Neymar and Vinicius open opportunities for other names in the squad, including returning midfielder Lucas Paquetá, who was recently cleared of betting allegations in England, and Chelsea’s 23-year-old striker João Pedro, fresh from a standout Club World Cup.
Punch
