“World stars belong there!” — Mbappé backs Neymar for 2026 World Cup return

Kylian Mbappé has expressed strong belief that Neymar will feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite his recent omission from Brazil’s squad.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti left Neymar out of the squad for upcoming fixtures against France and Croatia, citing concerns over the forward’s fitness level. The decision did not sit well with Neymar, who admitted he was disappointed to be excluded.
Reacting to the situation, Mbappé insisted that the Brazilian star remains too important to miss out on the global tournament. The Real Madrid forward said he finds it hard to picture the World Cup without Neymar’s presence.
According to Mbappé, the competition is meant for elite players, and he is confident Neymar will recover in time to earn his place back in the squad. He, however, acknowledged Ancelotti’s authority in making selection decisions, expressing optimism that Neymar will be fully prepared when the tournament arrives.