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.

Carlo Ancelotti will walk into Monday's Brazil squad announcement with a nation peering over his shoulder and one burning question hanging in the Rio de Janeiro air: Neymar or no Neymar?

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

Italian legend Ancelotti took over as Brazil coach last year and oversaw the five-time world champions' successful qualification for next month's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not played for the national team since suffering a serious knee injury in October 2023.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has backed veteran defender Danilo to be part of his final 26-man squad for this year’s World Cup in North America, adding that his squad is largely settled.

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.

"The intensity has improved, but more intensity does not always mean more spectacle."

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.

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.

In one of the most incredible underdog stories in football history, Curacao -- a tiny Caribbean island with a population of just around 156,000 -- stunned the world by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Neymar has undergone a successful operation on his left knee to repair a damaged meniscus, his club Santos said on Monday.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti reiterated his previous stance of placing form over reputation when selecting the squad for the World Cup, insisting Neymar will only be selected if he proves he deserves a place in the squad for the 2026 tournament, after the World Cup draw took place in Washington DC on Friday.

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.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said Vinicius Jr must be fully fit to make next year’s World Cup squad, reiterating his policy of picking only players who are 100% game-ready.

At the Emirates Stadium, Brazil fans may have caught their first real glimpse of someone who is not merely the next Neymar, nor a Messi imitation, but a player whose emergence makes the idea of restoring a dynasty feel possible again.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti said Brazil "mentally collapsed" in their 3-2 friendly defeat to Japan on Tuesday and warned that they need to learn from their mistakes before the World Cup.

Japan claimed their first win over Brazil after roaring back in the second half to stun Carlo Ancelotti's side 3-2 in a friendly in Tokyo on Tuesday.