Brazil superstar Neymar was handed a dramatic recall to the country's World Cup squad on Monday, returning to the national team after a near three-year absence.

On the day before the announcement of the Brazilian squad for the World Cup, the oft-injured 34-year-old was receiving treatment in the 65th minute on the far side of the field from the team benches.

Carlo Ancelotti will remain the coach of Brazil until 2030, the country's football federation (CBF) said on Thursday in a vote of confidence as the storied football nation aims to turn around its World Cup woes.

The decision has reignited hope among Brazilian supporters eager to see their talisman return on football’s biggest stage.

Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Eder Militao is set to miss the World Cup after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury on Tuesday.

Brazilian winger Estevao is out for the rest of the English season, with his participation in the World Cup in doubt, Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said on Friday.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was “half-satisfied” despite a 2-1 defeat to 10-man France in a friendly in the United States on Thursday, insisting the performance displayed his side’s ability to compete with the best.

Only Brazil stand ahead of Germany in terms of FIFA World Cup titles but few nations can match the depth and drama of Germany’s journey to their four crowns.

Kylian Mbappe, who has only just returned to action after a knee injury, will lead the France squad into friendly matches this month against Brazil and Colombia in the United States.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday Neymar is "not 100 percent" fit so will miss two friendlies later this month as youngster Endrick returns to the squad.

He was not weeping. His head was not dramatically bowed. His body did not collapse. Yet around him unfolded one of football’s most poetic tragedies. At its centre stood Roberto Baggio.

Real Madrid said Tuesday their winger Rodrygo has suffered a severe knee injury, and it is expected to keep him out of the World Cup with Brazil this summer.

Former Brazil captain Neymar said he is thinking of retiring at the end of the year after being hampered by injuries but hopes to go to the World Cup first.

Brentford striker Igor Thiago has already made Premier League history: now the Brazilian hopes to take his unlikely success story to the World Cup.

Bangladesh football team captain Jamal Bhuiyan said his lifelong support for Brazil was reignited as he came face to face with the FIFA World Cup trophy in Dhaka, describing the experience as emotional, inspiring and deeply personal.

Brazilian starlet Endrick said on Monday that he hoped his loan switch to Lyon would help spark a return to the national side, in time for the World Cup.

Mikel Arteta said Friday that Gabriel Jesus has the qualities to be Arsenal's first-choice striker following the return of the Brazil international after 11 months on the sidelines.

Neymar played through a knee injury to score a hat-trick and lift his boyhood club Santos clear of the relegation zone in Brazil's Serie A.

First-half goals from Estevao and Casemiro secured a 2-0 victory for Brazil over Senegal in a fiery friendly at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Brazil goalkeeper Ederson said he had already attempted to leave Manchester City the season before last, with unhappiness at the Premier League club weighing on him after struggling with injuries.