Rio Ferdinand urges Carlo Ancelotti to recall Neymar for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad

Rio Ferdinand has added his voice to the mounting debate over Neymar’s World Cup future, issuing a direct plea to Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti to reinstate the forward ahead of this year’s tournament. Speaking in a video posted on X, the former England and Manchester United defender expressed disbelief that the 34-year-old had been omitted from the Seleção’s latest squad—the final provisional list before the official 23-man group is revealed on 16 May.

“I cannot believe it,” Ferdinand said. “As a football fan, I am praying that Neymar’s there and he touches the pitch of the World Cup because this is what it’s about. The greats of the game, the icons that you go, remember that moment. Neymar could produce one of those moments at a World Cup. I’m telling you, please, Carlo, get Neymar back in.”

The intervention comes after Neymar was left out of the squad for last Thursday’s 2-1 friendly defeat to France at Gillette Stadium in the United States, a result that highlighted Brazil’s attacking shortcomings. Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha, the team’s current headline acts, failed to impose themselves against Les Bleus, prompting renewed scrutiny of Ancelotti’s decision to overlook the country’s all-time leading male scorer.

Although Neymar has not featured for Brazil since suffering a serious knee injury in November 2023, he has maintained a visible presence on social media, insisting he will “continue to work in hope” of a late reprieve. Ferdinand argues that the tournament stage is tailor-made for a player of Neymar’s flair and game-changing ability. “The World Cup is a stage made for stars,” he added. “One move, one moment—he can change a game.”

Ancelotti, appointed last summer, has remained characteristically unruffled by external lobbying, but the clock is ticking. With Brazil’s attack misfiring and the clock counting down to the opening match, the Italian must decide whether to gamble on the fitness and form of his former talisman or press ahead with a youthful forward line that has yet to convince.