Neymar’s hopes of playing in the FIFA World Cup 2026, which he had earlier suggested could be his final appearance, are now all but over.
Neymar's World Cup hopes over? (AFP)
The development comes just days after the Brazilian star was left out of the squad for the team’s upcoming World Cup warm-up matches, following which he released a video expressing his desperation to get back on track and make the final cut.
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According to a report by CNN Brasil, internal sources within the Brazilian Football Confederation have described Neymar as “practically out” of the World Cup squad, with the situation termed “extremely complicated.”
The reasons are two-fold. First, there is a growing lack of confidence within the CBF over Neymar’s fitness, given his inconsistent appearances for Santos FC due to recurring injury concerns. More significantly, however, the report points to increasing “behind-the-scenes unease” between the player and the federation’s leadership.
Neymar’s recent public reaction to being left out of the warm-up fixtures has reportedly not gone down well with CBF officials, who feel he is attempting to build an “us versus them” narrative by leveraging media and fan sentiment.
One incident, in particular, appears to have worsened the situation. Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti had travelled specifically to watch Neymar in action during Santos’ match against Mirassol, taking a private jet and making a last-minute journey to attend the game. However, Neymar did not feature, citing workload management, and reportedly made no effort to meet or acknowledge the coach, a gesture that could have demonstrated commitment.
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The episode is understood to have left a poor impression on the CBF hierarchy, with internal discussions now indicating that even a late push for selection may not be enough to salvage his place.
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The episode is understood to have left a poor impression on the CBF hierarchy, with internal discussions now indicating that even a late push for selection may not be enough to salvage his place.
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While Neymar still has matches left this season with Santos to prove his fitness and form, the reality remains stark, it would take something extraordinary, if not miraculous, for him to force his way back into contention.
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.
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Home/Sports/Football/Neymar 'practically out' of Brazil's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad: Report
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