RIO DE JANEIRO — After more than a year sidelined due to an ACL injury, Neymar has made his return to professional soccer. However, he has not been named in Brazil’s squad for their final two World Cup qualifiers of the year. Brazilian national team coach Dorival Júnior announced on Friday that Neymar would not participate in the upcoming matches against Venezuela on November 14 and Uruguay on November 19.

Neymar suited up for his club, Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, for the first time since his injury on October 21 during the AFC Champions League Elite. Despite his return to club action, the coach decided to exclude not only Neymar but also promising teenage striker Endrick from the national team lineup.

Currently, Brazil stands in fourth place in the South American qualifying standings, trailing leader Argentina by six points after ten matches. The top six teams in this qualification round will secure automatic spots in the 2026 World Cup.

The squad selected by coach Júnior for the upcoming games features several notable players across various positions. In goal, Brazil will have Weverton from Palmeiras, Bento from Al-Nassr, and Ederson representing Manchester City.

The defensive lineup includes Danilo from Juventus, Vanderson from Monaco, Abner of Lyon, Guilherme Arana from Atletico Mineiro, Murillo from Nottingham Forest, Éder Militão from Real Madrid, Gabriel Magalhães from Arsenal, and Marquinhos from Paris Saint-Germain.

In midfield, the confirmed players are André from Wolverhampton, Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle, Gerson from Flamengo, Lucas Paquetá from West Ham, Andreas Pereira from Fulham, and Raphinha from Barcelona.

The forward section boasts talents like Rodrygo and Vinicius Júnior, both from Real Madrid, alongside Luiz Henrique and Igor Jesus from Botafogo, Estêvão from Palmeiras, and Savinho from Manchester City.

Brazil is gearing up for the crucial qualifiers as they aim for a successful campaign leading up to the World Cup.