SOCCER: Neymar left off Brazil's friendly squad as World Cup hopes fade

Neymar's World Cup hopes took a hit Monday as Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti announced that the star forward would be excluded from the squad for the upcoming friendlies in the United States.

Brazil is set to face France in Boston on March 26 and Croatia in Orlando on March 31, marking the final matches before World Cup rosters are finalized.

"Neymar is not at 100% and therefore he is not on the list," Ancelotti said. "If he can be at 100% physically, he can be there. Neymar could be at the World Cup. He has to keep working, playing, showcasing his qualities, and maintaining good physical condition."

At 34, Neymar is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals. However, the veteran forward has not played internationally since suffering a major knee injury in October 2023 during a World Cup qualifying loss to Uruguay.

He currently plays for Santos, his boyhood club in Brazil’s top division, following successful stints at Barcelona and PSG and a brief period at Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

Ranked No. 5 in the world, Brazil comfortably qualified for the tournament and has been placed in Group C alongside Haiti, Morocco, and Scotland. The Seleção will open the World Cup on June 13 against Morocco in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the final will also be held on July 19.

After the roster submission deadline, Brazil is scheduled to play additional tuneup matches against Panama on May 31 and Egypt on June 6.

Brazil has appeared in every World Cup, winning a record five titles, though the team has exited in the quarterfinals in four of the last five tournaments. Neymar, who has participated in three World Cups, was sidelined during the infamous 7-1 semifinal loss to Germany in 2014.

The 26-man squad for the U.S. friendlies features Lyon forward Endrick and Brentford forward Igor Thiago, both receiving their first call-ups since Ancelotti took charge last year.

"We are preparing well for this World Cup. We want to arrive in the best possible condition technically, physically, and mentally," Ancelotti said. "There are players who deserve to be here because they are performing well in their respective leagues."

—Field Level Media/Reuters