Will Neymar, Messi, and Ronaldo play in the 2026 World Cup?

[rdluffy]

Ronaldo is the oldest (41), so it is likely that this will be his last games for the national team, which means that he will do his best to be ready, and after all, the man enjoys football at all times. Messi is only 38, while Neymar is the youngest (34) and will still have a chance to play in at least one or maybe two world competitions.

Luka Modric will play for Croatia even at 40+ years old, although few believed it 2 years ago.

I remember the last World Cup, when we talked a lot about Croatia, Lucius

I thought 2022 would be the last World Cup for Messi and Ronaldo. I have to admit I’m surprised to see them both still playing regularly, and on top of that, I was so surprised to see Modric still playing at 40 

Even though they’re not at their peak anymore, I’m still excited and curious to watch them
Do you think Modric will start in the World Cup?

On March 31, we’ll have Brazil vs. Croatia (without Neymar)

[Razmirraz]

Messi and Ronaldo remain the first-choice players for Argentina and Portugal, respectively. They are also captains of their respective teams and still possess exceptional quality. Meanwhile, Neymar injury problems have been a major obstacle for him, so it's no wonder Ancelotti doesn't want to take any risks. Even though the three of them are no longer young, their experience and skills can still be a big asset for their respective teams.

I am very confident that Messi and Ronaldo will definitely play in the 2026 World Cup, unless they get injured. Meanwhile, Neymar chances are very small, especially since the stock of young players in the Brazilian national team is still reliable and has above average skills. Ancelotti also wants players in the best condition for the World Cup, not just big names. Neymar must prove himself like Ronaldo and Messi who are still able to perform consistently with the clubs they defend. He must work hard to show his best physical qualities before the announcement of the final Brazil squad.

[silpersurfer]

Betting markets like Polymarket make it possible for bettors who want to bet on events that are not available at regular bookmakers.
As other members have said, Messi and Ronaldo playing in the upcoming World Cup is highly likely, but Neymar? I don't think the Brazilian coach would risk including a player like Neymar who is often injured and hasn't played much in recent years.

I heard that Neymar was not mentioned and has not received an invitation to play for the world cup, maybe the current coach is still considering the risks on Neymar, although this player is very good in his prime but with the risk of injury too often is also not a good thing for the team, anyway Brazil has many other choices of players who can replace him.

Ronaldo and Messi are very likely to play in this year's world cup, they can still be relied upon despite being very old and their fitness is still very good, it's just that their stamina and skills have decreased in carrying the ball.

[sokani]

But I’m going to ask you guys. If you were to bet, what would your bets be?
Will all three play in the 2026 World Cup, which will likely be their last?
Or will one of them be left out?

I would bet on both Messi and Ronaldo to play in the World Cup. They are both doing very well at their clubs, and they still have the legs to play the world one more time. As for Neymar, I wouldn't dare it. His injury problem is a big concern, and he's always having fitness issues. Currently, he was not even invited to be part of the squad to face France and Croatia in the upcoming international friendlies.

[Franctoshi]

Today I saw two interesting predictions on Polymarket
I just didn’t see one for Cristiano Ronaldo


But I’m going to ask you guys. If you were to bet, what would your bets be?
Will all three play in the 2026 World Cup, which will likely be their last?
Or will one of them be left out?

Currently there's no news stating that Lionel Messi is injured or isn't fit to play in the World Cup; however, he might decide not to play in the World Cup competition because he has achieved what is necessary for the country—that's all that he needs to win, being the World Cup trophy 🏆, and he can decide to retire from country football.

Whereas there's a higher possibility  that Neymar may decide not to participate in this World Cup because of his nature of always suffering injuries.

[Juicyhome]

I would bet on both Messi and Ronaldo to play in the World Cup. They are both doing very well at their clubs, and they still have the legs to play the world one more time. As for Neymar, I wouldn't dare it. His injury problem is a big concern, and he's always having fitness issues. Currently, he was not even invited to be part of the squad to face France and Croatia in the upcoming international friendlies.

I don't think Brazil needs Neymar to succeed in the world, but Portugal and Argentina needs Ronaldo and Messi in their squad for this world cup. There's no doubt about Ronaldo and Messi they're fit to play the world cup but Neymar is not fit and I think Brazil shouldn't risk him, he has won the world cup is he's not desperate to play in the world cup, let the young stars have the chance to represent the country.

Neymar is important for his fitness and injury is the major concern here, Brazil has a good squad without Neymar, calling Neymar is an added advantage to the young stars but I'm not sure he will start the game or have good play in the tournament.

[Joy- maker]

I would say that Cristiano Ronaldo may play the coming world cup,  since he have not won the FIFA world cup. Christiano Ronaldo is likely try again this time to see if he can be able to win this one before his retirement,  and I wish him goodluck if he decide to try again.

As for Messi,  I don't know if he would play this coming word cup,  because he won the last FIFA world cup that was hosted in Qatar.  So he may see the coming world cup as something not necessary for him to play,  but if he decide to play it's fine.

As for Neymar he is not that fit,  He had a serious knee injury.  so I doubt if he would play in the coming FIFA world cup.

And if Neymar decide to play in the coming world cup which  I am not sure,  his  likely not to perform well because of his knee injury.

Because he will get tired fast,  especially in back to back matches,  he may not have full speed and agility,  and he may likely get re-injured.

So all this things put together make me doubt if he would play in the coming FIFA world cup.

[Myleschetty]

It is difficult to predict whether Neymar or Messi will participate in the FIFA World Cup in 2026. Messi stated that he wants to play in the World Cup after his 2025 MLS season with Inter Miami, but his physical and mental health will determine whether he participates. Due to injuries, Neymar does not appear to be fit, and the Brazilian coach said he will only be chosen if he performs at a high level and is 100% fit.

[nelson4lov]

If Messi and Ronaldo plays in the forthcoming world cup, it would probably be their last. Everyone that the last world cup would be the last for Ronaldo but I knew he had one more in him. As for Neymar, I'm not sure. The problem with Neymar is that based on current performances, there's no way Neymar will get first team shirt in his position. He won't even substitution shirt. At best, Neymar is like 4th to  5th choice in his position because there are currently better talents than him in that position.

It's not the same case for Messi or Ronaldo because their presence alone and leadership often boosts morale of their teams.

[Hispo]

I thought Messi was going to retire from playing football professionally again, wasnt he?
I thought that was why the lastest world cup was so important for Argentina and Messi himself, because it could have been one of the few chances Messi had to bring the throphy back to Argentina before getting to old to play professionally for his home nation.

Anyways, knowing how passionate he is for Argentina and his home selection, I would bet he is going to play in this incoming world cup for Argentina, unless something drastic happens to him.

[AmoreJaz]

If Messi and Ronaldo plays in the forthcoming world cup, it would probably be their last. Everyone that the last world cup would be the last for Ronaldo but I knew he had one more in him. As for Neymar, I'm not sure. The problem with Neymar is that based on current performances, there's no way Neymar will get first team shirt in his position. He won't even substitution shirt. At best, Neymar is like 4th to  5th choice in his position because there are currently better talents than him in that position.

It's not the same case for Messi or Ronaldo because their presence alone and leadership often boosts morale of their teams.

I would say that for Ronaldo, he said it would be his last. But for Messi, I believe not yet the last. And for Neymar, he is the youngest among these three, so yes, he has still the chance to play unless injured. So yes, for these 3 core players, I would say, they have the chance to play in this upcoming World Cup.

[lombok]

I thought Messi was going to retire from playing football professionally again, wasnt he?
I thought that was why the lastest world cup was so important for Argentina and Messi himself, because it could have been one of the few chances Messi had to bring the throphy back to Argentina before getting to old to play professionally for his home nation.

Anyways, knowing how passionate he is for Argentina and his home selection, I would bet he is going to play in this incoming world cup for Argentina, unless something drastic happens to him.

It is difficult to believe that Messi will retire his shoes any time soon seeing that his ambition is still burning at the moment when he raises the trophy in Qatar. We are supposed to do cognizant of the fact that the triumph that came yesterday was akin to the stripping off the shoulders of a huge weight that was resting upon his shoulders whenever he went to play against Argentina. Playing in the next world cup is not something that a player with his calibre cannot do as long as he is physically able to compete on the top. His love to his country cannot be rivalled.

[iBaba]

I would bet on both Messi and Ronaldo to play in the World Cup. They are both doing very well at their clubs, and they still have the legs to play the world one more time. As for Neymar, I wouldn't dare it. His injury problem is a big concern, and he's always having fitness issues. Currently, he was not even invited to be part of the squad to face France and Croatia in the upcoming international friendlies.

Neymar is a very solid player that every other person is looking at to play for them but one thing has put a big fat stain on him as a talented player and that's other than the unreliability of him when it comes to injury. He's a player you can spend money now as a management expecting him to thrive and take the team to their promised land but when you begin to play for the team they discover that he's only claiming to the name

[Alpha Marine]

But I’m going to ask you guys. If you were to bet, what would your bets be?
Will all three play in the 2026 World Cup, which will likely be their last?
Or will one of them be left out?

I will bet against Neymar. He wasn't even called to the Brazil squad for the next international break. Unless another player gets injured, he doesn't have a place in the squad. He is still a good player, but I don't think he is at the level right now. What is crazy is that even in his unfit state, he is still better than some of the "in form" Brazilian players. This shows how much they have declined and how good Neymar actually was.
As for Messi and Ronaldo, it's a no-brainer. They are definitely going to the World Cup. An injury is the only thing that can stop them right now, and knowing those guys, they hardly get injured before times like this. They are always the first players in teh coach's ,imd when he is calling up players depite their age.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

Today I saw two interesting predictions on Polymarket
I just didn’t see one for Cristiano Ronaldo

But I’m going to ask you guys. If you were to bet, what would your bets be?
Will all three play in the 2026 World Cup, which will likely be their last?
Or will one of them be left out?

I will definitely bet that Ronaldo and Neymar will play in the coming 2026 World Cup, but I am not sure about Messi, and this is because in the last world Cup which was in 2022, Argentina won the cup and it was widely speculated that the reason why Messi but his all to ensure that his country won the Cup was because that world Cup will be the last he will be playing before retiring from football..

And it true that Messi is still in the pitch today playing but who knows, he might still decide to only watch the world Cup games and not play, since according to sources, Argentina winning the world Cup in the last world Cup was Messi's way of giving back to his country and supporters before hanging his boot..
So if I was to actually place a bet, I will likely not bet on Messi playing in the coming world, I will also not bet on him not playing because I am not really sure.

[Zackz5000]

Messi and Ronaldo may be sure to play in the World Cup as long as he is not seriously injured, the coach will include him in the squad.

While Neymar was reportedly dropped by Anceloti due to unstable fitness problems ... maybe that's the reason why Anceloti dropped him... we know how Neymar often has problems with injuries to his muscles this is not just a short time but a long time and reduces his performance, even though I know these three players are old and not agile anymore.

It's certain that Messi and C Ronaldo will perform in this year world cup but not certain if they are going to play for 90 minutes due to their ages so that other talented young players will also have an opportunity to play as this will be their last dance in the FIFA world cup and also their last play for their national team.

Neymar was drop by their coach Calos Anceloti I also saw this on news if not that I saw this I even thought that Neymar jr wasn't playing football again, he is the injury kind of player may be before he was dropped by the coach he may not be in a good form Neymar might feel disrespected by Anceloti decision.

[gracreavix]

Today I saw two interesting predictions on Polymarket
I just didn’t see one for Cristiano Ronaldo





But I’m going to ask you guys. If you were to bet, what would your bets be?
Will all three play in the 2026 World Cup, which will likely be their last?
Or will one of them be left out?

I doubt Neymar will play in the World Cup because of his injury.

But Messi and Ronaldo could definitely feature in the World Cup, unless they get injured before then. Ronaldo would really want to participate, so this could be his 6th FIFA World Cup in his career.

[HelliumZ]

It is uncertain whether Neymar Jr. will play because most of his time is spent injured and the Brazilian coach sees the possibility that he will not play this year.
But it is certain that last year's champion, Lionel Messi of Argentina, will play in the World Cup this time, and under his leadership, Argentina will prepare for the World Cup with full enthusiasm. Cristiano Ronaldo is still fully fit, so he is 100% certain to participate in the World Cup. However, Neymar Jr. is likely to recover from his injury before the World Cup, so it is not yet possible to be 100% certain about his participation.

[Dunamisx]

For now, let's assume that Neymar will not be able to play for this world cup because of his current condition, this makes him more on feet to play and will not be included among the squad going, while others are most likely to play because they are not having any serious challenge that would affect them from participating, except if anything new happen anytime from now till then.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

For now, let's assume that Neymar will not be able to play for this world cup because of his current condition, this makes him more on feet to play and will not be included among the squad going, while others are most likely to play because they are not having any serious challenge that would affect them from participating, except if anything new happen anytime from now till then.

I did not know that Neymar is currently in a condition that won't allow him to show up at the coming world cup as one of the players, thats very unfortunate for him to say the least, I can imagine how he must be feeling not being able to play in that world cup which is a time when different countries around the world often come together in love and solitude for football..

In my previous comment on this thread, I said the person I am possibly believing won't be able to play in the world cup would be Messi due to some retirement rumors that have been flying around the world for some time now concerning him.

If Messi will have to play in this year's world cup tournament, then that's a big plus for the Argentina team because with Messi's support, they were able to win the world cup last season, may be with Messi on the side again in the coming season, they will try to win it again.