Carlo Ancelotti is keeping Neymar in the conversation, but not as a guaranteed full-game option. Ahead of Brazil’s round-of-16 clash with Japan at the 2026 World Cup in Houston, the Brazil coach said the forward could play more than 15 minutes, with his usage tied to how the match develops.
That position matters because Neymar has only just started to regain rhythm after more than a month without playing. According to espndeportes.espn.com, he was included for the match against Scotland in Miami and appeared in the closing minutes, a sign that Brazil is still managing his return carefully.
Ancelotti’s reading of Neymar’s condition
Ancelotti described Neymar as improving at the right pace and said the player had made significant progress during the last week. He also noted that the forward was unable to train fully for the entire time he was with the squad, which helps explain why Brazil is still handling his minutes cautiously.
| Player | Current status | Possible role |
|---|---|---|
| Neymar | Improving after more than a month without playing | More than 15 minutes, depending on the match |
| Brazil vs Japan | Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup in Houston | Context for Neymar’s potential minutes |
“Neymar está evolucionando muy bien, creo que en la última semana ha evolucionado mucho,” Ancelotti said. He added that the amount of time Neymar can play depends heavily on the context and evolution of the match.
What comes next for Brazil
Neymar is expected to start on the bench again against Japan, waiting for another chance to contribute and earn more space in the team. That makes his role one of the key questions around Brazil’s next step in the tournament.
