The Santos forward, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, has not featured for the national team since suffering an ACL injury while on international duty in October 2023. He subsequently tore his meniscus during his rehabilitation period, with both injuries combining to keep him sidelined for the majority of the past two and a half years.
Ancelotti, 66, revealed at a squad announcement ceremony in Rio de Janeiro — where fans cheered loudly when Neymar's name was called — that the decision was based on sustained monitoring throughout the season.
"We spent the entire year analysing Neymar. We realised that in this last period he had continuity and was in good physical condition."
Neymar played at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups, scoring four goals across those three tournaments. He previously won the Copa América with Brazil in 2019.
Chelsea forward João Pedro was the most prominent omission from the squad despite finishing as the Blues' top Premier League scorer this season with 15 goals and five assists. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker was included despite missing the club's last 10 matches through injury.
Brazil face Morocco on June 13, Haiti on June 20 and Scotland on June 24 in Group C of the expanded 48-team tournament, which kicks off in the United States, Canada and Mexico on June 11.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Grêmio).
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (PSG), Gabriel (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg).
Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo).
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth).