Neymar Announces 2026 World Cup Will Be His Last

• Neymar announces that 2026 World Cup will be his last, aiming to secure Brazil’s qualification.
• The 32-year-old attacker expresses interest in reuniting with Messi and Suarez at Inter Miami.
• Brazil sits fifth in World Cup qualification, with Neymar optimistic about the team’s future.

Neymar has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be his final tournament, expressing confidence that Brazil will secure a spot in the finals in North America.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the 32-year-old forward, who hasn’t played for Brazil in over a year, told CNN, “I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance, and I will do everything I can to play in it.”

In the same interview, Neymar also hinted at the possibility of reuniting with his former Barcelona teammates, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, at U.S. club Inter Miami. He said, “Obviously, playing again with Messi and Suarez would be incredible.”

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Brazil’s World Cup qualification has been rocky, sitting fifth in the South American group after 12 of 18 rounds. However, with the top six teams guaranteed World Cup spots, Brazil remains five points clear of seventh-place Bolivia.

“I have a lot of faith in the team, in the players who are emerging, who are young,” he said. “We’re not in a position where we would like to be.”

“I think together we can achieve something very big. We have a year, a year-and-a-half to work, to do the right things to reach the World Cup,” Neymar said.

Neymar started Brazil’s first four qualifiers but suffered a knee injury against Uruguay in October 2023, missing a year of action. After returning to Saudi club Al Hilal, he played briefly in October and November before a hamstring injury sidelined him again.

Neymar is targeting a return to form in time for the World Cup, which will begin when he is 34 years old.

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Before the World Cup, Neymar could play in the U.S. at the expanded Club World Cup in June, where Inter Miami, with Messi and Suarez, will also be competing.

“They are my friends.” said Neymar, who also played with Messi at Paris Saint-Germain. “We still speak to each other. It would be interesting to revive this trio.”

“I’m happy in Saudi Arabia, but who knows? Football is full of surprises.

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