Olaleye Idowu
Brazil manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has given conditions for legendary attacker, Neymar Jr, to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The next World Cup will start in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico in June, and the draws were made yesterday at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C., with US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in charge.
Brazil are in Group C of the competition alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland.
Neymar, a former Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Al Hilal star, has been in fine form for his boyhood club, Santos, where he has scored 11 goals in 26 appearances despite injury setbacks.
Fans and journalists are eager to know if Ancelotti, a former Real Madrid boss, has the Santos attacker in his plans for the World Cup next year.
Speaking after the World Cup on Friday night, Ancelotti said, “I understand you guys are very interested in Neymar. I want to clarify.
“We are in December, World Cup is in June. When I announce the squad in May, if Neymar deserves to go, if he’s well, if he’s better or the same as another, he will play the World Cup, period”.
It would be his fourth World Cup tournament for Brazil if Neymar gets Ancelotti’s nod for next year’s event. He was there in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

