Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, head of the Brazilian national team, explained the reasons behind the exclusion of star player Neymar da Silva, formerly of Santos, from the “Seleção” squad participating in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Ancelotti confirmed that the decision to exclude Neymar was purely technical, noting that the player is currently facing several issues despite no doubts about his technical level. He pointed out that Brazil’s squad includes no less than 70 players eligible to represent the national team.

He indicated that the coaching staff is focusing on improving defensive performance and increasing the speed of ball transitions, emphasizing the importance of entertaining fans, especially in matches held at historic stadiums like Maracanã.

He stressed that strict technical criteria are the basis of his selections, confirming that players must be 100% ready and that reliance is not solely on individual skills. He also praised João Pedro’s abilities, describing him as a straightforward striker capable of playmaking as well.

Ancelotti concluded his statements by affirming that Brazil has a strong mix of players that must be optimally utilized, emphasizing that the time has come to win the World Cup title again and that serious work is underway to achieve this goal.

The Brazilian team is preparing for an anticipated match against Chile as part of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.