Brazil sealed its ticket to the 2026 World Cup within the ultimate spherical of CONMEBOL qualifiers, with solely friendlies left to arrange for the event in the US, Canada, and Mexico. After being neglected of the squad through the September worldwide break, Neymar delivered an optimistic 6-word message to followers.
The ahead stirred controversy earlier in September when he admitted his omission from a part of head coach Carlo Ancelotti wasn’t because of health issues. “It was a technical resolution, it wasn’t something bodily. It was the coach’s selection,” Neymar instructed reporters.
With the star neglected and Brazil already certified following a 1-0 win over Paraguay again in June, Ancelotti turned to an alternate roster that included a number of domestic-based gamers. La Canarinha impressed in a 3-0 win over Chile, however then stumbled in a shock 1-0 loss to Bolivia, a end result that raised doubts amongst followers.
As soon as the qualifiers concluded, Neymar shared a hopeful message about Brazil’s future. “Brasil na copa. Rumo ao HEXA,” he wrote on Instagram, which interprets to: “Brazil within the World Cup. On the highway to the sixth.” The Santos product is keen to assist lead Brazil to a different title in North America and add a sixth star to the badge.
Neymar celebrates Brazil’s qualification to the 2026 World Cup on his Instagram.
Regardless of Neymar’s optimism, questions stay about Brazil’s possibilities in 2026. The Seleção simply endured its worst World Cup qualifying marketing campaign in historical past, amassing solely 28 factors and ending fifth behind Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, and Uruguay.
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Neymar’s affect on Brazil stays simple
Since struggling an ACL damage in October 2023, Neymar’s absence has been Brazil’s greatest setback. In that point, the group has undergone a rocky transition that has already seen three completely different coaches take cost. Whereas qualification is secured, Brazil’s file with and with out Neymar highlights simply how influential he stays.
Since his debut in 2010, Neymar has appeared in 128 video games for Brazil, successful 92 (71%) and shedding simply 15 (11%). With out him, Brazil has performed 70 matches, managing solely 39 wins (56%) and struggling 17 defeats (25%), clear proof of the group’s reliance on its famous person.
With qualifiers now behind them, Brazil will flip to a pair of October friendlies in opposition to South Korea on the tenth and Japan on the 14th. Neymar is lastly anticipated to make his long-awaited return, almost two years after his final look in a Brazil shirt.
