Brazilians Sceptical Over Neymar and World Cup Hopes

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, a central question dominates Brazilian football: will Neymar Jr. secure a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s final squad? With the official squad announcement scheduled for 18 May, public sentiment in Brazil remains deeply divided regarding the veteran forward’s role and the national team’s overall prospects.

Public Sentiment and the Genial/Quaest Survey

A comprehensive survey conducted by Genial/Quaest, a prominent Brazilian political and socio-economic research firm, has highlighted a significant lack of consensus among the populace. The study, which polled 2,004 individuals aged 16 and over between 10 and 13 April, revealed that 47% of Brazilians support Neymar’s inclusion in the national team, while 45% are opposed. The remaining 8% declined to comment.

Furthermore, the data indicates a widespread lack of enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament. More than half of the respondents (54%) stated they feel “no excitement” regarding the World Cup. Only 12% described themselves as “highly excited,” while 32% reported feeling “not very excited.”

Pessimism Regarding Tournament Victory

The survey reflects an unprecedented level of pessimism regarding Brazil’s chances of securing a sixth title. A substantial 68% of Brazilians believe the national team will not win the trophy. This figure represents the highest negative sentiment recorded since the survey began in April 2023.

The following table summarises the key findings of the Genial/Quaest survey:

Regional and Socio-Economic Discrepancies

Opinion on Neymar varies significantly by region. In southern Brazil, the majority of the population opposes his selection. Conversely, in the North-East, North, and Mid-West regions, most fans support his return. In the South-East, which includes Sao Paulo—the home of Neymar’s club, Santos—the public is evenly split.

Socio-economic factors also play a role. While support and opposition are nearly equal among low-income groups, higher-income individuals lean slightly more towards supporting the forward’s inclusion.

Ancelotti’s Tenure and Neymar’s Fitness

Carlo Ancelotti’s performance as head coach has met with mixed reviews. Under his leadership, Brazil has played 10 matches, recording five wins, two draws, and three losses—a win rate of 56%. While 41% of respondents approve of his work, 29% are dissatisfied.

Neymar, now 34, faces a critical juncture in his career. Chronic injuries and fitness issues have sidelined him from international football for over two years, his last appearance for Brazil being in October 2023. Since returning to his boyhood club, Santos, at the start of 2025, he has made 36 appearances—28 last year and eight this year—scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists. However, recurring muscle and ligament issues continue to hinder his consistency.

The Path to 18 May

According to reports from O Globo, Ancelotti is closely monitoring Neymar’s condition. Santos is set to face Fluminense, Bahia, and Palmeiras in upcoming matches, which will serve as vital trials for the forward. With only nine matches remaining before the squad announcement on 18 May, Neymar must demonstrate both fitness and form.

The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, begins on 11 June. Brazil is situated in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. Their campaign commences on 13 June at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey against Morocco. Following the squad announcement, Brazil is scheduled to play two friendly matches against Panama and Egypt as final preparation.