Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo will show off their skills at the World Cup this summer following their inclusion in the Brazil and Portugal squads for the tournament, which starts on 11 June.
Neymar will turn out for the Seleção for the fourth time, while Ronaldo will represent Portugal in a record sixth World Cup appearance.
"Neymar has improved his fitness," said Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, unveiling his 26-man squad at a gala ceremony in Rio de Janeiro. "He will be an important player in this World Cup."
After two years with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, Neymar rejoined his boyhood club Santos in 2025.
The 34-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player will go into the 2026 World Cup aiming to add to his record 79 goals for his country.
And it could be a World Cup farewell – in February 2025, he told the Podpah podcast that the event in the United States, Mexico and Canada would be his last.
Notable omission
Chelsea striker forward Joao Pedro was the most notable omission from the Brazil forward line.
Ancelotti selected Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior as well as Rayan, Igor Thiago and Matheus Cunha who play for the English Premier League clubs Bournemouth, Brentford and Manchester United respectively.
Endrick, who turns out for the Ligue 1 outfit Lyon has also been included, along with PSG skipper Marquinhos.
"It was very difficult to choose 26 players," said Ancelotti. "Why? Because the competition in Brazil is very, very high. I know some players who have played for the national team this year will be unhappy."
Brazil, the most successful side in World Cup history with five wins, start their Group C campaign on 14 June with a game against Morocco at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Six days later they will take on Haiti at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, wrapping up the pool stages on 25 June against Scotland in Miami.
Joy of six
Portugal, however, are still chasing a first triumph. Boss Roberto Martinez anointed Ronaldo skipper of the squad that includes four players from the Ligue 1 champions PSG.
The 41-year-old, who said last November that the 2026 tournament would be his farewell tournament, will enter the competition with an opportunity to confirm his position as the leading men's international goalscorer.
Ronaldo notched up his first goal for his country during a Euro 2004 game against Greece. In October 2025, he scored twice against Hungary to take his tally to 143.
Ronaldo's Al Nassr teammate Joao Felix will also be in the mix among the forwards.
In the run-up to the tournament, Portugal will face Chile and Nigeria in friendlies before their Group K opener against Democratic Republic of Congo in Houston.
They stay in the Texan city for the match against Uzbekistan on 23 June and finish against Colombia on 27 June at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
"In my experience, at a World Cup, a player doesn't follow the pattern of club form, age-related performance or anything like that," said Martinez.
"The focus is our group," he added. "All of the players are focused. They're prepared for the demands of a World Cup and we just need to manage day by day."
