30 June 2026
Neymar's World Cup Start: Ancelotti Keeps Brazil Guessing
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has addressed the burning question of whether Neymar will start against Japan in the World Cup Round of 32.
The biggest talking point surrounding Brazil ahead of their Round of 32 clash was not tactics or formation but one name: Neymar. According to beIN Sports, coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke publicly about whether the veteran forward would be in the starting lineup for the knockout tie against Japan.
Ancelotti's comments added a layer of intrigue to a matchup already billed as one of the most exciting fixtures in the round. Brazil ultimately won 2-1, but the will-he-won't-he drama around Neymar gripped fans before a ball was even kicked.
With Brazil now through to the last 16, the question shifts from whether Neymar starts to how much he has left in the tank for the rounds ahead.
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