Brazil leave Neymar out as Ancelotti points to fitness concerns

March 17, 2026 Aksel Kryhlmand

Brazil have left Neymar out of their latest squad, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti citing concerns over the forward’s physical condition ahead of upcoming international fixtures.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Ancelotti decided not to include Neymar because he is not yet fully fit, as Brazil prepare for their March friendlies against France and Croatia.

Romano quoted Ancelotti as saying, “Neymar can go to the World Cup if he's 100% fit”.

He added, “I didn’t call Neymar now because he's not 100%, we need players who are at their best”.

Door remains open

Ancelotti made clear that Neymar’s absence is not a definitive exclusion from future plans.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the coach said, “Neymar has to keep working, playing, showing his qualities and a good physical condition”.

Neymar responded publicly to the decision, saying, “I’m upset, sad, about not being called up. But the focus remains day after day, training after training, game after game”.

He added, “We’re going to achieve our goal. There’s still one final call-up left and the dream lives on. That’s it, we’re in this together”.

Brazil adjust without Neymar

According to Fabrizio Romano and Neymar’s public statements, the forward was left out of the squad for the March friendlies as he continues working toward full fitness following recent muscle issues at Santos.

Neymar also shared images on social media, including a photo from a private jet and pictures from past moments with Brazil, though no direct explanation was attached to the post.

His absence could increase opportunities for younger attackers. Endrick may gain valuable minutes to strengthen his case for a place in the World Cup squad, while Vinicius Jr could take on a larger role in Brazil’s attack during these matches.

Santos may also benefit from Neymar remaining with the club as he focuses on regaining full match fitness.

Key questions around Neymar’s path back

Neymar’s omission raises several questions as Brazil move closer to final World Cup preparations. Can he return to full fitness in time to secure a place in the final squad? Will Ancelotti prioritize in-form players over established stars if competition in attack continues to increase? And how much could performances from players like Endrick influence the final selection decisions?

The answers may depend not only on Neymar’s physical condition, but also on how Brazil’s attacking options perform in the upcoming fixtures.

Sources: Fabrizio Romano