Neymar Left Out as Ancelotti Names Brazil Squad for Friendlies

With World Cup qualification secured, Carlo Ancelotti announced Brazil’s squad for friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia. Neymar remains absent due to poor form and fitness, while Fabinho, Luciano Juba, and Vitor Roque earn recalls. Ancelotti emphasized testing new talents and addressed Vinicius Junior’s recent substitution reaction, calling it resolved.

As the Brazil National Team gears up for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, coach Carlo Ancelotti has announced the squad for the upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia. The major talking point is the continued absence of Neymar, who returned to Santos earlier in 2025 but has struggled with injuries and inconsistent form. His omission has further fueled doubts about his World Cup prospects. Ancelotti has brought back midfielder Fabinho, who last featured for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The squad also includes newcomers Luciano Juba from Bahia and young Palmeiras forward Vitor Roque, who has been one of the standout performers in the ongoing Brazilian league season. The coach emphasized that these matches are crucial for testing fresh talent and building a stable foundation for the team, noting that seven players have been selected from the domestic league.

Addressing Vinicius Junior’s recent conduct during his substitution in El Clasico, Ancelotti confirmed that the issue was resolved after a personal conversation, reaffirming Vinicius’s importance to the national setup. With a blend of youth and experience, Brazil’s latest squad reflects Ancelotti’s intent to balance experimentation with preparation for the world stage.