Why is Neymar not playing in Ecuador vs Brazil FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier?
Brazil is set to play Ecuador in a FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL qualifier at the Banco Pichincha Monumental Stadium on Thursday (Friday, according to IST).
FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES FROM THE MATCH
With the starting lineups out for both teams, Brazilian star Neymar is a big name missing from the Selecao line-up.
Why is Neymar not playing?
The reason Neymar is not playing for Brazil in its World Cup qualifier against Ecuador is that he was not named in the squad by new head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Striker Neymar, who is still struggling to return from injury, was not picked. He returned to Santos only last week from a muscular injury, and that was too late for the new coach.
Neymar has scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil, with his last international match being a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October last year, when he suffered an ACL injury.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Venezuela defeats Bolivia 2-0 to approach World Cup intercontinental playoff spot
CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela beat Bolivia 2-0 on Friday to extend its advantage in seventh place in South American World Cup qualifying and a potential spot in an intercontinental playoff for next year's tournament in North America. Bolivian Héctor Cuellar scored an own goal in the fifth minute after a simple pass to goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra ended in the back of the net. The hosts added a second in the 30th minute with striker Salomón Rondón, Venezuela's all-time top goal scorer with 47 goals, after he chested down a cross from Nahuel Ferraresi and scored with his left foot. Bolivia, which now trails Venezuela by four points with only three rounds to play, never threatened goalkeeper Rafael Romo at the Monumental Stadium in the eastern city of Maturin, Venezuela. Also on Friday, Colombia drew Peru 0-0 at home and failed to overtake Brazil in the standings. It was Colombia's fifth consecutive match without a win. The hosts at the Metropolitano Stadium in Barranquilla missed suspended striker Luis Díaz, who scored six goals in World Cup qualifying. Jhon Córdoba and Rafael Santos Borré were also out due to injury. World Cup champion Argentina, which secured its 2026 berth in March, leads South American qualifying after 15 matches with 34 points. Ecuador and Paraguay are next with 24 points, but the Ecuadorians have better goal difference. Brazil is in fourth place with 22 points. Uruguay and Colombia, both with 21 points, are in fifth and sixth, respectively, separated by goal difference. Venezuela, the only South American team to have never competed in a World Cup, has 18 points. Bolivia, which still has a chance of moving into seventh place, has 14. Peru and Chile have 11 and 10 points respectively. Several teams could secure their World Cup spots in Tuesday's next set of matches. Ecuador will clinch its spot with a win at Peru and Brazil could also secure its berth with a win, provided Venezuela doesn't add points at Uruguay. Colombia will have to beat Lionel Messi's Argentina in Buenos Aires to come close to its spot before the two final rounds in September. Bolivia will have to overcome Chile at home to keep its chances alive. All 10 South American nations play each other home and away. The top six countries qualify directly to the finals next year in North America. The seventh-place South American team will go into the intercontinental playoffs in March 2026 in North America when six teams will vie for the remaining two spots in the main tournament. soccer: /hub/soccer
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Our playing careers are over': Oman's 2024 T20 World Cup cricketers still not paid by cricket board, appeal to ICC
Oman cricketers have spoken out against their native cricket board a year on from their appearance at the T20 World Cup in North America and the Caribbean, citing the failure of the board to distribute the prize money achieved by the team in that tournament. As per players who spoke to ESPNcricinfo regarding the matter, the ICC paid the Oman Cricket Board USD 225,000 as the cash prize, but that amount was never transferred to the players. What is more, those who have attempted to try and rectify the situation have seen themselves frozen out of the team, locked out of the picture for the national team. Batter Kashyap Prajapati gave an account of what it has been like to be shunned by his own cricket board. 'Our lives have been upended over this issue; we've lost our spot in the team, our contracts have been torn up, and we have been forced to leave the country,' said the Indian-born Prajapati. 'It's just so confusing and we don't understand why the ICC isn't able to ensure we get paid the prize money we have earned, and why there isn't a safe space for us to raise concerns?' As per the ICC's rules of participation, all prize money earned by teams at events must be distributed to players who are part of the squad, within 21 days of the conclusion of the tournament. The T20 World Cup came to an end in late June 2024, and while the ICC confirmed the prize money has been shared with the board, it is reported no player has been paid. In fact, Oman's squad from the World Cup is almost entirely out of the picture, with a complete overhaul after complaints being raised by players involved at the World Cup. The impact of Oman's decisions cannot be downplayed, with player Fayyaz Butt saying that his journey in cricket might be 'over': 'It's been a massive loss for my career and professionally. I had to leave Oman. I'm not working at the moment, looking for opportunities but our playing careers are over.' The ICC's inability to ensure the safe transfer of funds to players has led to criticism from the World Cricketers' Association, a body for player welfare. 'In a sport that is trying to retain players in international cricket and ensure its future and relevance, it's disappointing to see more non-payment issues, including in pinnacle ICC events held almost a year ago,' said Tom Moffat, CEO of the WCA. 'We understand ICC management have continued to chase the boards on this, but the issue reflects poorly on the whole sport and adds to the widespread issues in domestic leagues.' 'It's also extremely concerning if some players are unable to raise their legitimate issues without fear of being punished for doing so,' added Moffat.
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
AFP Sports Agenda for Saturday, June 7
AFP Sports Agenda for Saturday, June 7 (all times GMT): Sabalenka v Gauff in French Open women's final England and Netherlands in World Cup qualifying 246th edition of the Epsom Derby Sovereignty and Journalism run in Belmont Stakes -- French Open women's final: In the first women's final between the two top seeds since 2013, No.1 Aryna Sabalenka takes on Coco Gauff who won their only meeting in a Grand Slam final at the US Open in 2023. Coverage by Jed Court and Martyn Wood. Picture (TENNIS-FRA-OPEN) -- 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Europe (1845 unless specified): Group G - Malta v Lithuania (1600), Finland v Netherlands; Group H - Bosnia and Herzegovina v San Marino (1300), Austria v Romania; Group K - Andorra v England (1600), Albania v Serbia. Picture (FBL-WC-2026-EUR) -- International friendlies including: Canada v Ukraine (1930), United States v Turkey (1930), Mexico v Switzerland (2000) (FBL-FRIENDLY) -- Super Rugby qualifying finals -- Chiefs v Blues, Brumbies v Hurricanes (RUGBYU-SUPER-NZL-AUS) -- English Premiership playoff: Leicester v Sale (1430) (RUGBYU-ENG) -- URC semi-finals: Leinster v Glasgow (1345), Bulls v Sharks (1615) (RUGBYU-URC) -- French Top 14 final round of regular season (all 1905): Bayonne v Toulon, Lyon v Racing 92, Montpellier v Clermont, Pau v La Rochelle, Perpignan v Toulouse, Stade Francais v Castres, Bordeaux-Begles v Vannes. Picture (RUGBYU-FRA-TOP14) -- 246th running of the Epsom Derby, England (RACING-ENG) -- Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the American Triple Crown, at Elmont, New York (RACING-USA-BELMONT) -- Practice (0810), qualifying (0850) and Sprint race (1300) at the Aragon MotoGP as Marc Marquez seeks to increase his championship lead over brother Alex. Picture (MOTO-PRIX-ESP) -- PGA at Canadian Open in Toronto (GOLF-USPGA-CAN) -- European Tour Dutch Open at The International, Amsterdam (GOLF-EPGA-NED) -- LIV Golf at Washington DC (GOLF-LIV-USA) -- LPGA Classic at Galloway, New Jersey (GOLF-LPGA-USA) -- Rally of Sardinia with Welshman Elfyn Evans looking to stretch his lead at the top of the championship standings. Picture (AUTO-RALLY-ITA)
