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Joao Fonseca says if he wants to see Neymar at the 2026 World Cup

Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images
Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images
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The Brazilian National Football Team will be hoping to win their first World Cup title since 2002 when they set foot in North America this summer.

The team, led by the likes of Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. and Casemiro, will begin their World Cup campaign against African champions Morocco on June 13.

During the most recent World Cup warm-up matches, Brazilian icon Neymar was not selected by manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Joao Fonseca, the Brazilian tennis star, has suggested whether he would like to see Neymar included in Brazil’s final World Cup squad.

Joao Fonseca (BRA) speaks to the media after his men's singles match against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) at the Miami Open on March 20, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Joao Fonseca wants to see Neymar in the Brazil World Cup squad

“I think Brazil can have a good World Cup,” Fonseca said ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters, as reported by ESPN Tenis.

“Regarding the controversy, I’m in favor of Neymar going to the Cup, especially because of the experience he brings.

“I’m not a football expert, it’s just my opinion, but I’ll be cheering for Brazil to win.”

Neymar is a football icon: a Champions League winner and Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer with 79 to his name.

The Brazilian recently expressed his disappointment at being left out of Brazil’s most recent squad during a live broadcast of a Kings League Brazil game.

Neymar Jr. of Brazil celebrates after scoring the fourth goal of his team during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Brazil and Bolivia at Mangueirao on September 08, 2023 in Belem, Brazil.
Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images

“I’m going to speak out here, because I can’t just let this pass,” Neymar said, as reported by ESPN.

“Obviously I’m upset and sad not to have been selected. But the focus remains the same, day after day, training session after training session, match after match.

“We’ll achieve our goal. There’s still one final squad announcement to go and the dream lives on. That’s it, we’re in this together.”

How did Brazil perform at the 2022 World Cup?

Brazil were one of the favourites heading into the 2022 World Cup.

The South American nation, who have won a record five World Cups, started their campaign by defeating Serbia and Switzerland in the group stage, before losing to Cameroon.

The team then comfortably defeated South Korea 4-1 in the round of 16, with Neymar and Luca Paqueta on the scoresheet.

However, their run came to a shocking end in the quarter-finals.

Neymar put the Brazilians ahead in the 105th minute, finishing off a wonderfully worked team move.

However, Croatia struck back in extra time, with Bruno Petkovic equalising in the 117th minute.

Croatia secured the victory on penalties by four goals to two, ending Brazil’s World Cup campaign.

Vinicius Junior and Neymar of Brazil look dejected after their sides' elimination from the tournament after a penalty shoot out loss during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Croatia and Brazil at Education City Stadium on December 09, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images

Croatia went on to exit in the semi-finals to eventual champions Argentina.