Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has delivered a clear message regarding the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, declaring he will not hesitate to leave out star forwards Vinicius Jr. and Neymar if they are not fully fit and performing at the highest level.
Speaking in an interview, Ancelotti stressed that every player must meet top physical and technical standards to earn a place in Brazil’s World Cup team, noting that competition for attacking positions is extremely intense.
According to the former Real Madrid manager, even high-profile stars will not receive preferential treatment if they fall below the required fitness threshold.
“There are many very good players, I need to choose players who are at 100%. It’s not just Neymar, it could be Vinicius.
“If Vinicius is at 90%, I’ll call up another player who is at 100%, because it’s a team with a very high level of competition, especially in attack.
“In attack, we have many very good players,” Ancelotti said.
Since taking over last summer, Ancelotti has notably not selected Neymar for any of Brazil’s international fixtures. As a result, the Al-Hilal forward has missed eight matches for the Seleção under the Italian manager.
With the World Cup fast approaching, Ancelotti’s firm stance sends a strong signal to Brazil’s top talents as they battle for spots in what is expected to be one of the most competitive squads heading to the 2026 global tournament.
