Ancelotti says Neymar must be '100 percent' to make Brazil's World Cup squad

Carlo Ancelotti said Neymar will only be selected for Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad if the forward is fully fit, warning the 33-year-old must be "100 per cent, not 80 per cent." The Italy coach reiterated that technical ability is not in question but that physical readiness will determine inclusion.

Ancelotti made the comments in an interview with L'Équipe as Neymar continues a return-to-play programme at his boyhood club, Santos. Neymar has started and completed eight consecutive matches for Santos since rejoining the club following a spell in Saudi Arabia, and club officials have described his condition as "excellent."

Santos team doctor Rodrigo Zogaib told Ge Globo that Neymar suffered only a minor bout of adductor swelling after a clash with Vasco da Gama but went on to play the full 90 minutes against Fluminense and is "still on the rise." That assessment contrasts with Ancelotti's rationale for leaving Neymar out of recent Brazil squads, which the coach said was motivated by fitness management as he builds toward next June's tournament.

"A national team needs to have the most talented players. It is obvious, right? But a talented player also needs to be physically fit," Ancelotti said. "He needs to be 100 per cent, not 80 per cent. Neymar is improving his fitness. He is undoubtedly the most talented Brazilian player. He had a small physical problem and recovered very quickly. But I want him to be in perfect shape so he can play. He can participate in the World Cup if he is physically fit. From a technical standpoint, there is no debate."

Ancelotti added that omitting Neymar from recent squads was not intended as a test but formed part of a longer-term plan. "We do not need to test him, everyone knows him," he said. "His goal must be to be ready by June 2026."

Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, has not represented the Selecao since suffering a knee ligament injury against Uruguay in October 2023 that kept him sidelined for roughly a year. His absence, coupled with other squad changes, has occurred amid a difficult qualifying cycle for Brazil. Ancelotti's side lost 1-0 to Bolivia in their final South American qualifier and finished with its lowest points total in the region's qualifying history.

The qualifying results have increased scrutiny on Ancelotti as he works to reshape the squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The coach has emphasized discipline and physical readiness as priorities in selecting a group capable of contending for the tournament.