{"id":670218,"date":"2026-06-02T03:47:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T07:47:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=670218"},"modified":"2026-06-05T10:37:35","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:37:35","slug":"conembol-sides-set-world-cup-squads-with-neymar-making-the-cut-for-brazil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2026\/06\/02\/conembol-sides-set-world-cup-squads-with-neymar-making-the-cut-for-brazil\/","title":{"rendered":"CONEMBOL Sides Set World Cup Squads With Neymar Making the Cut for Brazil"},"content":{"rendered":"

The six South American nations participating in this year’s World Cup<\/a>\u00a0have set their final squad lists of 26, with Argentina and Brazil among the top 8 favorites to lift the trophy at the end of the tournament. Here is your look at the squad depth and expected lineups for teams that are expected to have some of the most visible fan support at the FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n

Neymar Makes the Cut for Brazil<\/h2>\n

Headlining Group C along with Morocco is Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil. Brazil were one of the first teams to set their final 26-man roster, and experience is the name of the game. Alisson (Liverpool) is still expected to start in goal of he can overcome hamstring problems, PSG captain Marquinhos leads the national team in the back line, there’s Casemiro in midfield (Manchester United), a 35-year-old Alex Sandro (Flamengo), and a mix of Premier League and domestic club talent.<\/p>\n

Teenagers Endrick (Lyon) and Rayan (Bournemouth) will be available as attacking options, Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo) was called into midfield, along with Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes, Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha, and the two key attacking stars Vinicius Jr. from Real Madrid and Raphinha from Barcelona, who now carry Brazil’s hopes on their shoulders.<\/p>\n

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All that talent was overshadowed by the decision to call up Neymar and bring him into the national team camp despite injury issues at Santos and not having played for the national team since he sustained a serious injury in 2023. Ancelotti had publicly questioned<\/a> Neymar’s form and fitness, but his legend in Brazil, the relationships he has with the players in the team camp, and his experience on the biggest stages ultimately won the argument.<\/p>\n

At 34, in brittle health, but still able to will Santos to magical moments at times in the domestic league, Neymar is going back to the World Cup. The question is whether he will see meaningful minutes in the tournament, as he’s sure to feature as a bench option and not a starter.<\/p>\n

Neymar was called while Chelsea’s Joao Pedro was not, nor was the experienced goalscorer Richarlison. While Real Madrid’s Rodrygo misses due to injury.<\/p>\n

Brazil has a talented roster, but inconsistency and age are question marks, as they have a high ceiling but also a low floor this tournament.<\/p>\n

Ecuador’s Strongest Team Ever Assembled<\/h3>\n

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While Brazil and Uruguay are notably not in a golden generation, Ecuador, who finished second in South American qualifying, have assembled their strongest squad in the nation’s history for a World Cup where they aim to be a dark horse in a tough group that features both Ivory Coast and Germany.<\/p>\n

Ecuador’s<\/a> defense is a clear top 3 in international football, with recent Champions League winner Willian Pacho (PSG) and Champions League finalist Piero Hincapie (Arsenal) as the starting center-back pair. Twenty-two-year-old Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge is also in the back line, along with the curious case of Tijuana’s Jackson Porozo. At 25, Porozo has featured for Ecuador in a number of international tournaments despite having only 9 national team caps and not participating during qualifying.<\/p>\n

Hernan Galindez (Huracan), at 39, is a veteran and steady presence in goal. Ecuadorians will hope to see the best of 21-year-old Kendry Paez (River Plate) in midfield, but they have far more faith in Chelsea leader Moises Caicedo and even Pumas UNAM’s Pedro Vite.<\/p>\n

With just 3 caps, Jeremy Arevalo (Stuttgart) was called up as a forward, along with Flamengo’s Gonzalo Plata and Sunderland’s Nilson Angulo. Thirty-six-year-old Enner Valencia is Ecuador’s best striker and a footballing legend for his national team. This should be the final World Cup for the player who plies his trade in Liga MX for Pachuca and is still the main goal-scoring threat for his nation.<\/p>\n

Nestor Lorenzo Shows Faith in Veterans for Colombia’s World Cup Squad<\/h3>\n

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Colombia are a trendy pick<\/a> for a dark horse team this World Cup and are expected to share honors in Group K with Portugal. Nestor Lorenzo has been leading Colombia for multiple international cycles now and ultimately placed faith in the team’s veterans when assembling the final squad call-up. There’s 37-year-old David Ospina in goal, Davinson Sanchez (Galatasaray) is still a key figure in a back line that has shown weakness at times, along with Cagliari’s Yerry Mina. Crystal Palace’s dynamic duo of Jefferson Lerma and Daniel Munoz, two 30+ year olds with a hybrid role are here, along with 33-year-old attacking midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate).<\/p>\n

Vasco da Gama’s Andres Gomez is a promising young forward, Cucho Hernandez made the cut after a solid season with Real Betis, though Sporting CP’s star Luis Suarez is the main striker. Cruz Azul’s Willer Ditta slipped into the squad with just 3 international caps, while Gustavo Puerta (Racing Santander), at 22, is already drawing praise. Real Betis Nelson Deossa and Galatasaray’s Yaser Asprilla were left off the squad.<\/p>\n

The team’s undisputed current superstar is the world-class Bayern Munich winger Luis Diaz, but still, so much of what Colombia does offensively flows through 34-year-old James Rodriguez, who is likely to retire after this World Cup and has endured a journeyman’s path at the club level, where he’s regularly accused of lacking<\/a> focus while also being the captain of his country who raises his level for the national team. Rodriguez has lost a step, but he remains a dangerous player on set pieces with great vision, and ultimately Colombia needs him to play well if they are going to exceed expectations this tournament. His ability to feed Diaz and Suarez with goal scoring opportunities will determine Colombia’s fate, as they are unlikely to keep a lot of clean sheets this tournament.<\/p>\n

Will Argentina’s Additions Help Them Repeat as Champions<\/h3>\n

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The standard for Lionel Scaloni and Argentina<\/a> is simple: win the World Cup. Given a favorable draw, Argentina are expected to reach the final, where they would likely face a UEFA powerhouse nation. The core of that World Cup-winning team in Qatar, with 38-year-old Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Otamendi, and 32-year-old Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), are all here. As are Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez, Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez in goal, and six Atletico Madrid players, including Julian Alvarez, the great striker.<\/p>\n

Other names like Paulo Dybala were left out however, while Angel di Maria had retired from international football.<\/p>\n

There’s Premier League talent here too: Tottenham’s Cristian Romero, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez, and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.<\/p>\n

The question is whether any of the newer faces on the squad will be able to meaningfully contribute. Strasbourg’s Valentin Barco was called up at 21, Palmeiras striker Jose Manuel “Flaco” Lopez was one of the last players selected, along with Atletico Madrid’s Giuliano Simeone, and 21-year-old Nico Paz, who had a great season with Como in Serie A. Every cycle, Argentina seems to introduce fresh talent who can change games. Messi is still a magician, but he’s going to need help if Argentina are going to run it back.<\/p>\n

Argentina knows how they play and they stick to the formula, but the participation of those fresher faces could make all the difference at key moments.<\/p>\n

Expectations Are Modest for Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay<\/h3>\n

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While Uruguay are expected to advance from a group that features Spain, Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay have only modest expectations this tournament. It wasn’t a shock that Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez <\/a>wasn’t a late addition after being off the national team for some time. There’s still plenty of experience in this side. At 39, Fernando Muslera continues in goal, the captain is Atletico Madrid’s Jose Maria Gimenez, and the midfield is carried by Tottenham’s Rodrigo Betancur and Real Madrid star Federico Valverde. Barcelona’s Ronald Ara\u00fajo is also in the backline.<\/p>\n

There are injury concerns with this squad however, 32-year-old Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo) suffered a serious injury just before the start of the tournament. The key midfielder will need to be replaced.<\/p>\n

Real Salt Lake’s Juan Manuel Sanabria made the cut in midfield after just 5 caps. The back line and midfield are steady, with players like Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United) also key pieces, but the weak spot is clearly in the forward role. Darwin Nunez (Al-Hilal) is the most famous name at forward but hasn’t developed as the nation hoped, and the fact Tigres UANL striker Rodrigo Aguirre may see significant minutes as a 31-year-old relative journeyman speaks to where Uruguay may fall short this tournament under Bielsa.<\/p>\n

Unlike other nations, Uruguay did not schedule any friendlies for this squad ahead of the start of the tournament.<\/p>\n

Can Paraguay Top a Competitive Group?<\/h3>\n

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On paper, Paraguay may be the “least talented” of the qualified CONMEBOL nations, but they had a solid qualifying campaign and won’t have fear in a group that features mid-tier teams<\/a> Turkey, Australia, and the hosts, the US Men’s National Team. Paraguay also have the least experienced squad, with seven players called up who have five or fewer international caps, including Palmeiras’ Mauricio and Portsmouth’s Gustavo Caballero in midfield. Multiple MLS players made the cut, including Orlando City’s Braian Ojeda in midfield.<\/p>\n

Boca Juniors Adam Bareiro missed out on a forward role due to injury.<\/p>\n

The key four for Paraguay? Sao Paulo’s Damian Bobadilla, Strasbourg forward Julio Enciso, still just 22, 23-year-old Diego Gomez (Brighton), and Atlanta United’s Miguel Almiron, now 32 and having lost a step. Gustavo Gomez (Palmeiras) captains his country in the back line and has 88 caps.<\/p>\n

While Paraguay are unlikely to make a deep run in the tournament, they have every chance to top the group and perhaps pull further upsets, as South American qualifying remains a great test to prepare for World Cup knockout games. We will see what stars emerge from South America at the end of the tournament, and who will be set to make a big transfer move in the coming months.<\/p>\n

Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The six South American nations participating in this year’s World Cup\u00a0have set their final squad lists of 26, with Argentina and Brazil among the top 8 favorites to lift the trophy at the end of the tournament. Here is your look at the squad depth and expected lineups for teams that are expected to have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1442,"featured_media":670220,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":true,"sfio_embed_code":"<\/smartframe-embed>","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,161,30,1831,2132],"tags":[798,979,621,145,226,1188,5102,1111,41,8859,389,3909,750,31797,437],"class_list":["post-670218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-international-football","category-news","category-starting-line-up","category-world-cup","tag-2026-world-cup","tag-argentina","tag-brazil","tag-carlo-ancelotti","tag-colombia","tag-ecuador","tag-federico-valverde","tag-james-rodriguez","tag-lionel-messi","tag-luis-diaz","tag-neymar","tag-paraguay","tag-uruguay","tag-willian-pacho","tag-world-cup"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/670218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1442"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=670218"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/670218\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":670234,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/670218\/revisions\/670234"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/670220"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=670218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=670218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=670218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}