Neymar back for Brazil, available for FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Argentina, Colombia
Brazil has recalled Neymar for the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina in March, the football federation announced on Thursday.
The Santos forward has been named in the national squad after more than a year.
The 33-year-old sustained a knee injury in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023, and struggled to get back to his best.
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After a disappointing spell at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, Neymar returned to his boyhood club Santos in January. He scored three goals and provided three assists in seven matches, which caught the eye of Brazil coach Dorival Junior.
Neymar has 128 caps and a record 79 goals for his country, surpassing Pele’s tally of 77.
He was part of Brazil’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and runners-up at the 2021 Copa America.
Brazil, which is fifth in the CONMEBOL table with 18 points from 12 games, hosts Colombia on March 21 and visits Argentina five days later. The top six qualify directly for the World Cup.
