Just over a year away from the 2026 World Cup, Neymar’s future with the Brazilian national team remains uncertain. The Santos forward, still recovering from a serious injury, continues to dream of playing in what would be his sixth major international tournament — and Carlo Ancelotti isn’t ruling out the possibility if he can regain full fitness.

What did Ancelotti say about Neymar?

Speaking from Tokyo, where Brazil is preparing to face Japan in a friendly match, Ancelotti addressed Neymar’s situation with caution but also a note of optimism.

“When he’s in good shape, he has the quality to play not only for the national team but for any team in the world,” said the Italian coach, leaving the door open for the forward’s potential return.

Ancelotti, fully aware of Neymar’s influence both on and off the pitch, reiterated that the decision will depend entirely on the player’s physical condition.

“I don’t like to speak in hypotheticals. If he’s fit, he’ll have his place,” he added.

March: the key date for his return

Time, however, is not on Neymar’s side. The 33-year-old must be fully recovered by March 2026, the deadline for players to be considered in Brazil’s final World Cup roster for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“The March FIFA window could define the final list for the World Cup,” Ancelotti explained. “We need to balance both things: keeping the team’s foundation and testing new players to see how they fit into the system.”

The coming months will therefore be decisive for Neymar’s international future, as he continues his intense recovery after missing most of the 2024–25 season due to injury.

One last dance with Brazil?

For Neymar, this could be his final World Cup — the closing act of a career defined by brilliance, pressure, and perseverance. With 128 caps and 79 goals for Brazil, the former Barcelona and PSG star remains one of the most iconic players of his generation, though his presence in 2026 will depend entirely on his body.

Under Ancelotti, Brazil is undergoing a generational shift led by young talents such as Rodrygo, Endrick, and Vinícius Jr. But even amid renewal, the coach knows a fully fit Neymar could still be an invaluable weapon.

For now, the dream lives on — and if health allows, the world might yet witness Neymar’s final dance in the yellow shirt on football’s biggest stage.