Will Neymar show the way for Brazil and Spain to do a Euro24-like win in New Jersey?

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 gathers momentum, Brazil and Spain enter the tournament carrying very different expectations.

Brazil is hoping the return of Neymar can inspire another deep run, while Spain arrives as one of the favourites after their Euro 2024 triumph.

Both nations boast a blend of experience and young talent. The big question is whether they can turn promise into glory on football's biggest stage.

Brazil

Neymar da Silva Santos Junior also known as ‘Neymar’ was included in the Brazil team for the FIFA World Cup on the American continent. Italian Manager Carlo Ancelotti’s choice of Neymar in the 26-man squad shocked soccer pundits.

They had not reckoned that the 34-year-old midfielder, who breathes across the wings and the entire pitch, is still a force for Brazil's first overseas Manager to choose for a World Class competition that comes once in four years.

The electrifying Neymar has played 128 internationals and scored 79 goals - the most by a Brazilian ( two more than the "Black Pearl" Pele).

Ancelotti's choice nonplussed one and all because Neymar had played his last match in the No.10 colours in October 2023 against Uruguay in a World Cup 2026 qualifier match at Montevideo.

Overall, he was in the team that won 91 matches. He has been active in the Brazil League this year, turning out for FC Santos, spending 90 minutes in each of the first seven matches and reduced time in the last three.

He scored three goals and was penalised with five yellow cards. But his absence for over 30 months from the national squad because of a variety of injuries relating to muscle, ankle, knee (ACL) and calf had made him a lesser force.

He has not stepped on the field since May 17 this year because of a calf injury. However, Ancelotti is still seeing him as a valuable player to be in the locker room!

After selecting him for the World Cup, Ancelotti said: ‘If Neymar stays fully fit, he'll have no problem giving his best for this current Brazil team. When he's in shape, he's not just worthy of playing for Brazil; he's good enough to play for any team in the world. Neymar will have the same duties as the other 25 players: he has a chance to play, or not play.’ 

Pundits have said that the five-time winner of the Jules Rimet Trophy/ FIFA World Cup, Brazil, is not one of the favourites to win the title.

Brazil finished fifth in the qualifiers, winning only eight of the 18 home and away matches and losing six.

It was placed behind Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia and Uruguay and above the sixth-placed and last direct qualifier from the group, Paraguay.

It lost to the other major teams in the group, but post-qualification, Brazil has scored five wins but lost to Japan and France.

It has played in all World Cups (114 matches with 70 wins), and the records still make it the Selecao the most popular team on the planet.

Brazil's entry into the round of 32 should happen with it being in the group that has Morocco, Haiti and Scotland.

It scored 27 goals in the qualifiers and let in 17, which raised a question mark against its last line of defence and the back line.

The team will be led by Vinicius Junior, who plays on the left wing and has a 55-match experience. Apart from Junior, there are young talents in Raphinha and Endrick who have the skills to attract attention.

Alisson, Ederson and Weverton are the three goalkeepers in the side, with Alisson the most capped with 77 matches.

The pundits may have a contrary view of the team with the famous hello shirts, but Brazil will have eyeballs from across the World.

Spain

The ‘La Toja’ has been in terrific form, and its fans are anticipating another trophy triumph after the Euro2024 win.

It began the Cup campaign with commanding wins against Bulgaria, Turkey and Georgia, scored 21 goals, conceded two and is seen as the firm favourites among the 48 teams.

It got the better of Serbia and Peru, but drew with Iraq and Egypt in the FIFA friendlies after the World Cup.

The loss to Portugal on penalties in the final of UEFA Nations League set off a confident run for Spain, coached by Luis de la Fuente, who seems to have faith in the tiki- taka (quick passing and placing primacy on holding on to the ball) style of play.

One of the eight countries to win the World Cup (in 2010 in South Africa) it has entered the finals for the sixteenth time; Spain seemingly is in form akin to the 2008-2012 period it was in.

After the exit of coach Luis Enrique, things have changed dramatically for the European powerhouse.

Losing to Japan, held by Germany, and a victory against Ivory Coast, Spain exited Doha after a four-match appearance following a 0-3 loss to Morocco on penalties in the round of 16 match.

The country's fortunes changed from the Euro2024 qualifiers that culminated in it winning the title - after a 13- match unbeaten run and in between beating Italy and Croatia in the Nations League.

After the loss to Morocco in Doha, Spain has lost only three matches - to Scotland, Colombia and Portugal and has won 29 matches.

Spain's top scorers in the qualifiers were Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal. But the focus during the Cup finals will be on Lamine Yamal once he recovers from a hamstring injury.

He may not start against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. There are quite a few who are recovering from different ailments. Spain has a clean 3-0 record against Saudi Arabia and a 5-0 win against Uruguay.

It has not played against Cape Verde. Its coach has worked with age group teams in Spain, and he is a strong believer in specialists, not people changing positions often.