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Santos boss Cuca has backed Neymar to secure a place in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad after his influential display in a 2-0 Copa do Brasil win over Coritiba.
The manager believes the veteran forward’s evolving style of play and tactical intelligence make him a key asset for Carlo Ancelotti as the Seleção prepare for the summer tournament.
Neymar shines in Cup Triumph
Neymar demonstrated his enduring quality on Wednesday night, orchestrating a 2-0 win for Santos against Coritiba to advance in the Copa do Brasil.
The 34-year-old provided an assist for Gabriel Bontempo’s 20th-minute opener before helping his side see out an important win.
Despite not featuring in the Brazil national team since October 2023, this influential performance comes at a critical time, with Ancelotti’s final World Cup squad selection looming just days away after the striker’s long road to full fitness.
Cuca praises tactical evolution
After the final whistle, Cuca explained how Neymar has adapted his game to remain a threat at the highest level.
“At the World Cup, I think that with every match that has passed, Neymar shows his worth, his ability. He is not the Neymar of the past who would take the ball and drive it inside, but he creates huge difficulties for the opposition today,” he said. “In the national team he can help in many ways, coming from behind, setting someone up, his intelligence, holding on to the ball, organizing, finishing. He plays on the wing, as a number 10, as a false nine.”
The road to North America
The Santos manager remains optimistic about Neymar’s international prospects as Brazil prepare to face Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in World Cup Group G.
“His place in the national team is very well on its way, I imagine. He can represent us in a really good way, I think it’s necessary, from my understanding. It’s up to the people in the CBF, they have their options to analyze how to proceed.” Cuca said.
“I don’t know what will happen in the World Cup and Brazil is doing well, if God wants them to be champions. Let’s wait and see, take it game by game like we have done. Maybe on Sunday he will have another good game and who knows, maybe he can secure his place in the World Cup.”
Doomsday for Seleção icon
Neymar faces a final audition this Sunday in a Brazilian Serie A encounter against Coritiba at Vila Belmiro before the final 26-man Brazil squad is announced.
Ancelotti, who has already included Neymar in his 55-man provisional list, will reveal his final squad on Monday 18 May during a high-profile event at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro.
Santos must also prepare for a busy schedule involving San Lorenzo in the Copa Sudamericana, but the focus remains on whether their talismanic number 10 can add to his 128 caps and 79 goals on the world’s biggest stage.
2026 FIFA World Cup: How to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread over three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every game streaming live and on-demand on both FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, are televised in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opener between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will stream for free on Tubi, as will the USA’s June 12 opener against Paraguay (9 p.m. ET).
