Ancelotti's Tough Love: Neymar Must Earn His Spot for World Cup 2026

Hours after the draw for the 2026 World Cup, Carlo Ancelotti discussed the possibility of Neymar’s return to the national team. The Italian coach made it clear that he would not grant any favors to the Brazilian star, despite his standing.

If Neymar wishes to participate in the 2026 World Cup, he must earn his spot. This is essentially the message conveyed by Carlo Ancelotti. Following the draw on Friday, which placed Brazil in a group with Morocco, Switzerland, and Haiti, the coach faced inquiries about the potential return of the number 10 to the squad.

Ancelotti is firm in his stance. “I completely understand why Neymar garners so much attention. Let’s be clear: it’s December now, the World Cup is in June, and I will select the team in May. If Neymar deserves to be there, if he’s in shape, and if he’s better than someone else, he will go to the World Cup. End of story. I owe nothing to anyone,” asserted the former Real Madrid manager.

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Neymar’s path to recovery

Ancelotti’s comments come as Neymar, despite a recent knee injury, shows remarkable improvement. On Tuesday, he even scored a hat-trick, leading Santos to a crucial 3-0 victory against Juventude, which is vital for the team’s relegation battle.

However, as the Italian coach pointed out, Brazil has a wealth of talent. “When we talk about Neymar, we must also consider other players. We need to envision Brazil with or without Neymar, just as we can have other players or not,” he emphasized. Ancelotti mentioned that the final squad for the World Cup will be announced after the international break in March.