Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 caps, has not played for his nation since 2023, when he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

The 34 year-old revealed he was living "year to year" last month and contemplated ending his professional career, but he expressed his desire to compete at the World Cup. 

Neymar has featured in three of FIFA's flagship competitions, with this likely to be his last crack at international glory, with Brazil out for their first title since 2002. 

He played the duration of Santos' 1-1 draw with Corinthians, a match that saw two of Ancelotti's assistants attend, but he was unable to make any impact. 

"Neymar is not at 100 percent, and therefore he is not on the list," Ancelotti said. "Neymar is not at 100 percent of his capability.

"If he can be at 100 percent physically, he can be there. Neymar could be at the World Cup.

"Neymar has to keep working, playing, showcasing his qualities and maintaining good physical condition."

Ancelotti's squad selection also saw him include Endrick for the first time since taking over from Dorival Junior, with the youngster impressing on loan at Lyon. 

Endrick has scored six goals in 12 appearances across all competitions, with only Corentin Tolisso (11) and Pavel Sulc (13) scoring more for the Ligue 1 side in 2025-26.

Brentford's Igor Thiago received his first Brazil call-up having impressed for Keith Andrews' side this season, but there was no room for Estevao, who is returning to fitness. 

Rayan of Bournemouth will also join up for the first time, with Flamengo's Leo Pereira and Galatasaray's Gabriel Sara the other debutants in the 26-man squad. 

Brazil faces France on 26 March before taking on Croatia three days later in what will be the last encounters before Ancelotti names his final World Cup roster on 18 May. 

Brazil begins its World Cup campaign against Morocco on 13 June. The five-time world champion will also go up against Scotland and Haiti in Group C.

Brazil squad: 

Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce); Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahly), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Wesley (Roma); Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray); Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Joao Pedro (Chelsea).