Forward Neymar has been left out of Brazil’s latest squad, announced by coach Carlo Ancelotti on Monday, for this month’s international friendlies as the five-time world champions gear up for the 2026 World Cup.

Brazil will face France on March 26 in Boston and Croatia on March 31 in Orlando as part of their pre-tournament preparations in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The 34-year-old’s omission comes after he recently missed a Santos FC match due to muscle fatigue, preventing Ancelotti from assessing him in person during a scouting visit ahead of the squad announcement.

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not featured for the national team since a serious knee injury in October 2023 and has struggled to maintain regular playing time since returning to Santos last year.

“Neymar can be at the World Cup if he’s 100%,” Ancelotti told reporters on Monday. “I didn’t call him up because he’s not 100%. He needs to be training and playing.”

Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti has called up 19-year-old Endrick, who returns to international duty for the first time in nearly a year, and included Brentford’s Igor Thiago in the squad for the first time as Brazil looks to refresh its attacking options.

Brazil will also face Egypt in a friendly this June before beginning their Group C World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13.

Brazil Squad:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce)

Defenders: Wesley (AS Roma), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo)

Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)

Forwards: Endrick (Olympique Lyonnais), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St Petersburg), Rayan (Bournemouth), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)