Ancelotti hints Neymar will start on bench against Japan

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has suggested Neymar Junior is unlikely to start Brazil’s Round of 32 clash against Japan at the FIFA World Cup 2026, despite confirming that the forward is in good shape after returning from injury.

Neymar missed Brazil’s opening two group-stage matches against Morocco and Haiti due to a muscle injury before making his tournament debut as a substitute against Scotland.

The Santos forward’s return raised hopes of a bigger role in the knockout stage, but Ancelotti said he will manage the 34-year-old carefully.

“Neymar has progressed very well. I think he improved a lot last week,” Ancelotti told reporters ahead of Monday’s match.

“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 coach previously said Neymar’s involvement would depend on his recovery and the demands of the match, leaving open the possibility of another substitute appearance.

Neymar’s World Cup campaign came after a difficult period, with the forward missing significant time following a serious knee injury in October 2023 and later dealing with a calf issue.

Brazil will face a confident Japan side that enters the knockout stage on a 10-game unbeaten run. The Samurai Blue also defeated Brazil 3-2 in Tokyo last October after recovering from a first-half deficit.

Ancelotti dismissed any focus on pre-match verbal exchanges after Japan striker Kento Shiogai suggested Brazil’s dominance may be fading.

“I won’t repeat what others say. We’re focused on the match, on the opponent’s qualities, on preparing well to avoid problems,” he said.

“That’s what match preparation is about. We’re not doing what they call in England ‘mind games.’ How do you say it in Portuguese? Mind games. We’re not going there.”

Brazil are aiming to continue their pursuit of a record sixth World Cup title.