Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti insists Vinicius Jr and Neymar must be 100% fit to make the World Cup squad.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti is leaving no room for doubt: only fully fit players will make the cut for the 2026 World Cup squad.
In a recent interview, Ancelotti stressed that Vinicius Jr and Neymar must be at 100% fitness to earn their places in Brazil’s World Cup squad.
This isn’t the first time Ancelotti has sent a warning to his star players. Back in October, he cautioned Neymar that fitness would be key to regaining his spot in the squad. Now, Vinicius Jr is under the same scrutiny, with Ancelotti stating, “If Vinicius is at 90%, I will call up another player who is at 100%.”
Vinicius Jr’s recent form has been solid, scoring the winner against Paraguay in June to secure Brazil’s World Cup spot. However, Ancelotti won’t hesitate to bench him if he’s not at peak fitness. Neymar, too, faces an uphill battle, having struggled with injuries and currently managing a meniscus issue in his left knee.
The stakes are high, with the 2026 World Cup scheduled for June 11 to July 19 in North America. Brazil will face France in a warm-up game in Boston between March 23 and 31.
