Ancelotti: Neymar Must Prove Fitness for Brazil's World Cup Squad
Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has stated that star forward Neymar Jr. remains in contention for the upcoming FIFA World Cup squad, provided he can demonstrate full fitness over the next two months. Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not featured for the national team since sustaining a severe knee injury in October 2023. Although he was excluded from recent warm-up matches against France and Croatia, Ancelotti emphasized that the player is currently under evaluation by both the coach and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). The Italian manager acknowledged Neymar's talent and his successful return to scoring goals for Santos, noting that he is on the right track but must improve his physical condition further. The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19. Brazil, placed in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland, will begin their campaign on June 13 in New Jersey. Ancelotti dismissed fan chants for Neymar during the recent defeat to France, urging focus on selected players, yet left the door open for Neymar's inclusion if he meets the required physical standards.
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Ancelotti: Neymar Must Prove Fitness for Brazil's World Cup Squad
Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has stated that star forward Neymar Jr. remains in contention for the upcoming FIFA World Cup squad, provided he can demonstrate full fitness over the next two months. Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not featured for the national team since sustaining a severe knee injury in October 2023. Although he was excluded from recent warm-up matches against France and Croatia, Ancelotti emphasized that the player is currently under evaluation by both the coach and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). The Italian manager acknowledged Neymar's talent and his successful return to scoring goals for Santos, noting that he is on the right track but must improve his physical condition further. The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19. Brazil, placed in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland, will begin their campaign on June 13 in New Jersey. Ancelotti dismissed fan chants for Neymar during the recent defeat to France, urging focus on selected players, yet left the door open for Neymar's inclusion if he meets the required physical standards.
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