Ancelotti says Neymar making progress, could start against Japan

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said Neymar has made significant progress in his fitness and is physically able to play more than 15 minutes, as the team prepares to face Japan in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup in Houston on Monday. Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, was left out of the squad for the first two group-stage matches against Morocco and Haiti and came off the bench in the second half against Scotland in Brazil's final group game. Ancelotti said Neymar has shown steady improvement and took a major step forward last week. Asked whether the forward would start against Japan, the Italian coach replied that the decision would depend on match conditions and the flow of the game, adding that the captain was expected to begin on the bench. Neymar has struggled with injuries over the past two years, limiting his playing time for both club and country. Brazil and Japan meet at a Houston stadium on Monday in the knockout stage of the tournament.