SouthernWorldwide.com – Santos head coach Cuca has expressed his strong belief that Neymar is on the right track to secure a spot in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
This assertion comes after Neymar’s impactful performance in a 2-0 victory over Coritiba in the Copa do Brasil.
Cuca highlighted that the veteran forward’s evolving playing style and enhanced tactical understanding make him a valuable asset for coach Carlo Ancelotti as Brazil gears up for the upcoming tournament.
Neymar showcased his enduring class on Wednesday evening, playing a pivotal role in Santos’ 2-0 triumph against Coritiba, which secured their progression in the Copa do Brasil.
The 34-year-old contributed an assist for Gabriel Bontempo’s opening goal in the 20th minute and was instrumental in his team maintaining their lead to clinch a crucial win.
Although Neymar has not represented the Brazil national team since October 2023, this influential display arrives at a significant juncture. Ancelotti’s final World Cup squad selection is imminent, following the forward’s extensive recovery process to regain full fitness.
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Speaking after the match, Cuca elaborated on how Neymar has adapted his game to remain a potent threat at the elite level.
“For the World Cup, I believe that with every game that has passed, Neymar is demonstrating his worth, his ability,” Cuca stated. “He is not the Neymar of the past, who would take the ball and drive it inside, but he creates enormous difficulties for the opponent today.”
“In the national team, he can help in many ways, coming from behind, setting someone up, his intelligence, holding onto the ball, organizing, finishing. He plays on the wing, as a number 10, as a false nine.”
The Santos manager remains optimistic about Neymar’s prospects with the national team, especially as Brazil prepares to compete against Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland in World Cup Group G.
“His spot on the national team is very well on track, I imagine. He can represent us in a really good way; I think it’s necessary, in my understanding,” Cuca said. “It’s up to the people at the CBF; they have their options to analyze how to proceed.”
“I don’t know what will happen in the World Cup, and Brazil is doing well; God willing, they will be champions. Let’s wait and see, take it game by game, like we’ve been doing. Maybe on Sunday, he’ll have another good game, and who knows, he might secure his place in the World Cup.”
Neymar has one final opportunity to impress this Sunday in a Brazilian Serie A match against Coritiba at Vila Belmiro, preceding the announcement of the final 26-man Brazil squad.
Ancelotti, who has already included Neymar on his 55-man preliminary list, is scheduled to unveil his definitive squad on Monday, May 18. This announcement will take place during a high-profile event at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro.
Santos also faces a demanding schedule, including a Copa Sudamericana fixture against San Lorenzo. However, the primary focus remains on whether their star number 10 can add to his impressive tally of 128 caps and 79 goals on the world’s most prestigious stage.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The tournament will be hosted across three countries, with the final match scheduled for July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
All 104 matches of the tournament will be broadcast live on FOX (70 matches) and FS1 (34 matches). Every game will also be available for live and on-demand streaming within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports app.
A record 40 matches, representing more than one-third of the tournament’s total, will be aired in prime time across FOX (21 matches) and FS1 (19 matches).
The opening match on June 11, featuring Mexico and South Africa, is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET and will be streamed for free on Tubi. The USA’s opening match against Paraguay on June 12, also at 9 p.m. ET, will be available on the same platform.
