Carlo Ancelotti confirmed he won't replace Neymar despite the forward's ongoing calf injury, maintaining the 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. The Brazilian star has been sidelined since May 17 with a right calf problem and hasn't featured internationally since his October 2023 ACL tear. Initial assessments by Santos suggested only swelling, but further testing with the national team revealed a grade 2 muscle strain requiring two to three more weeks recovery.

Ancelotti dismissed questions about his selection with humor, saying he'd have made different choices only if his grandfather had wheels. The Italian coach emphasized that Neymar remains part of Brazil's World Cup plans and could feature in later group stage matches even if he misses the opening game against Morocco on June 13. Brazil will also face Haiti and Scotland in their initial matches.

Medical decisions now rest with the Brazilian Football Confederation after squad selection. Ancelotti noted Neymar is working diligently on his fitness return, though the timeline suggests he'll be unavailable for crucial early fixtures. Brazil's attack will need to adapt without their star playmaker for the tournament's opening phase.

The decision reflects Ancelotti's confidence in Neymar's potential impact later in the competition, but Brazil risks starting their World Cup campaign without their most creative attacking threat when facing Morocco.