Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Neymar is making encouraging progress in his recovery but stopped short of confirming the veteran forward will start when the Selecao face Japan in Monday night’s FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash.
The five-time world champions head into the knockout fixture aiming to keep their title hopes alive, with much of the pre-match attention centred on Neymar following his long-awaited return to international football after an extended spell on the sidelines.
The 34-year-old attacker made his first appearance for Brazil in three years when he came off the bench during the closing stages of the Selecao’s final Group C victory over Scotland.
His return was warmly received by supporters, many of whom expected him to reclaim a place in the starting XI for the knockout rounds.
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However, Ancelotti has urged patience, insisting the Santos star is still being carefully managed after overcoming a series of injury setbacks.
“Neymar has progressed very well. I think he improved a lot last week,” Ancelotti told reporters ahead of the Japan encounter.
“It’s a shame he couldn’t train the whole time he was with us. He can play more than 15 minutes. He’s in good shape. But it depends a lot on the game context and how things develop.”
The Italian tactician’s comments suggest Brazil will once again ease Neymar back into competitive action rather than risk overloading him in a high-intensity knockout fixture.
While the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward is available for selection, Ancelotti appears keen to use him as an impact player should the match require his creativity and experience.
Neymar’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been far from straightforward. He suffered a serious knee injury in October 2023 before another calf problem ruled him out of Brazil’s opening Group C matches against Morocco and Haiti.
Those setbacks delayed his return, but his substitute appearance against Scotland marked an emotional milestone as he pulled on the famous yellow shirt once again.
Although his minutes have been limited, Neymar’s presence has provided a major psychological boost for the Brazilian camp heading into the knockout phase. His vision, ability to unlock compact defences and composure in the final third remain valuable assets for a side targeting a place in the Round of 16.
Brazil will be wary of a disciplined Japanese side that has impressed throughout the tournament with its organisation, quick transitions and relentless work rate.
With knockout football leaving no room for error, Ancelotti is expected to rely on a balanced approach while keeping experienced players like Neymar ready to influence the contest when the moment demands.
Whether he starts from the bench or features later in the match, all eyes will be on Neymar as Brazil seek to book their place in the next round and continue their pursuit of a sixth FIFA World Cup crown.
Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:
Morocco national football team 2026
Argentina national football team 2026
Mexico national football team 2026
Spain national football team 2026
Brazil national football team 2026
France national football team 2026
Senegal national football team 2026