&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "‘We did it, dad’: How FIFA World Cup call-up left Neymar emotional and ecstatic – WATCH")
Neymar is going to the FIFA World Cup. The Brazilian superstar, who was earlier unlikely to make it to North America for the year’s greatest spectacle due to his fitness struggles, dramatically made Brazil’s final 26-man squad. The 34-year-old will feature in his fourth football World Cup staged across the US, Canada and Mexico.
However, putting all speculations to rest, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti kept faith in Brazil’s wonder boy and picked him in a public announcement late on Monday (May 18). Brazil's talisman broke down in tears upon getting a shock World Cup call-up.
“He has improved his fitness,” Ancelotti said to reporters in Rio de Janeiro.
"He will be an important player in this World Cup. We chose Neymar not because we think he'll be a good substitute. We chose Neymar because we believe he can help the team, whether it's for one minute, five minutes, 90 minutes, or even taking a penalty," the head coach added.
An Emotional Reaction!
Trending Stories
)
3.5-million-year-old mystery creature found in Japan is a 'giant' never seen before
)
JP Nadda, Jitendra Singh meet Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital: Report
)
Trump announces 200% tariff on generic drugs: Here's what it means for 'Pharmacy of the World' India
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters with most runs in India vs Zimbabwe T20Is
)
US-Iran war cost hits $37.5 billion as Hegseth seeks $67 billion more for Pentagon
)
YouTube cracks down on AI slop, but didn't it help create the monster? Your channel will be demonetised if...
)
Sonam Wangchuk's connection with George Soros and Ford Foundation explained!
)
Donald Trump heading for a tough midterm elections as approval ratings fall
)
UP BTech gold medalist dies by suicide after failing in nearly 50 govt job attempts, leaves note for father
)
Salman Khan breaks silence on health concerns after viral Mumbai appearance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Eyes before weapons': How the S-400's radar network works
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
)
Indus treaty can no longer function in its current form, says India; plans 5,500 mw of new J&K hydro projects
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (July 20-26, 2026): Musafir Cafe, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya, 72 Hours- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
2026 FIFA World Cup awards: Full list of Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove and every major winner
)
Is Pentagon hiding missile shortage from Trump? US officials raise alarm over Iran war readiness
)
'Criticising him after two or three matches isn't justified': Sikandar Raza backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 team of the tournament: The best XI that ruled football’s biggest stage
)
'We acted immediately...': Indian PM Modi breaks silence on paper leaks as NEET protest, calls for Education Minister's resignation grows
)
Kaylee Hottle was unconscious: Shocking details from first responders revealed after teen star's death
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s cockpit glass is thicker than a standard fighter jet
)
Student union leaders call off hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after civil society appeal, but protest continues
)
‘He's the architect of the genocide against Palestinians’: Mamdani repeats Netanyahu will be arrested if he visits US
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
World's top 7 most liveable cities in 2026 — Check where India and Pakistan stand
)
'Guru is the...': Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shares message on education amid calls for his resignation
)
'Not permitted ...': IIT Roorkee issues gag order as students' protest intensifies
)
'This should not happen in a democracy': Shashi Tharoor slams detention of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi after protest outside PM Modi's residence
)
‘Centre had no interest in having a debate’: LoP Rahul Gandhi demands resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, Amit Shah
)
FBI arrests alleged $547mn medicare fraud fugitive after 3-year global manhunt
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Neymar, who now features for Santos in the Brazilian Serie A, was surrounded by his loved ones during the live squad announcement. Soon after Ancelotti announced his name as part of the final squad, he broke down into tears, with his friends and family members getting emotional and jumping into ecstasy at the same time.
Super happy, Neymar called up his father and said, ‘We did it, Dad, we did it. We made it, Dad, we made it.’ Not only that, but Neymar also video-called his Brazilian teammate and fellow winger, Raphinha, saying, ‘We are together, Rapha…we are gonna win this.’
WATCH VIDEO -
Neymar calling up Raphinha -
Meanwhile, this is the first time that Ancelotti called up Neymar to the national side since taking over the job in May 2025. Neymar has scored 79 goals for Brazil.
Here is Brazil's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad –
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Weverton
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Léo Pereira, Bremer, Ibáñez, Wesley, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Douglas Santos
Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Danilo, Fabinho, Lucas Paquetá
Forwards: Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Thiago, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, Vinícius Júnior, Luiz Henrique, Neymar, Rayan
