Neymar has said on multiple occasions that the 2026 World Cup will be his final major tournament with the Brazil national team, and his focus now is on regaining full fitness in time for the competition. With the next international break approaching, reports in Brazil suggest head coach Carlo Ancelotti has already made a key decision regarding the star’s long-awaited return to the Seleção.
Since taking charge, Ancelotti has made clear his intention to integrate Neymar into his plans for the World Cup. Now back at Santos, the Brazilian forward has been steadily building his match fitness, and that work appears set to be rewarded with a call-up in the coming fixtures.
According to Brazilian outlet Ge Globo, Neymar has been included in Ancelotti’s preliminary squad for Brazil’s final two CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers in September. The Verdeamarela host Chile on Sept. 4 before traveling to face Bolivia on Sept. 9, and the national team captain is expected to feature under Ancelotti for the first time.
Members of Ancelotti’s coaching staff were in attendance for Santos’ 3-1 win over Juventude earlier this month, where Neymar impressed with a two-goal performance. The staff reportedly also took notice of goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão, who could join Neymar in receiving a pre-list call-up.
Neymar of Santos celebrates after scoring the third goal of his team during a Brasileirao 2025 match between Santos and Juventude at MorumBIS Stadium on August 04, 2025 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The former PSG and Barcelona star had been named in Ancelotti’s squad for June fixtures but was forced to withdraw at the last moment due to injury. Now fully fit at Santos, and with less than a month until Brazil’s qualifiers, Neymar’s long-awaited comeback looks closer than ever.
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Neymar’s fitness revival at Santos
Injuries have plagued Neymar over the past two years, keeping him sidelined for most of his stint in Saudi Arabia and ruling him out of tournaments like the 2024 Copa America. His struggles continued in his early months back at Santos, delaying his return to top form.
Recently, however, Neymar has shown encouraging signs of progress. He has completed 90 minutes in seven straight matches — something he hadn’t achieved in more than three years. Even in Santos’ crushing 6-0 defeat to Vasco da Gama, the silver lining was Neymar’s ability to play without physical setbacks.
His last appearance for Brazil came on Oct. 17, 2023, against Uruguay, the night he suffered the devastating ACL injury that kept him out for over a year. Now, as he closes in on a return, Neymar’s plan to be fit and competitive again for the Seleção appears to be on track.
