Neymar Jr.'s celebrated call-up to the 2026 World Cup leaves an open question for collectors of the Panini album: since he does not appear on the Brazil national team page, could he be included now? Everything indicates that coach Carlo Ancelotti has gotten them into a big mess.

According to the Argentine newspaper LM Neuquén, the Italian company could release new figures with the players called up at the last minute and who, apparently, were ruled out for the World Cup.

However, Neymar Jr. is a special case, since it was not about injuries, but rather a technical decision. Although he was active with Santos, Ancelotti's call could have been symbolic: he will play in his fourth World Cup and will form the attack with Raphinha, Vinicius Jr. Martinelli, Endrick; lethal players on offense.

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Could Panini include Neymar Jr. in the World Cup 2026 album?

So far, the company has not made a decision official, but they surely know that, logically, it would now be one of the most valuable prints in the collection.

In fact, there is a precedent. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Panini launched an update with 80 cards that corresponded to players who had not initially been included in the collection and that replaced footballers who did not participate in the tournament.

In the digital version it will probably be much easier, but in the physical album you will have to figure out, especially for those who already bought it and do not have the space available to stick Neymar. On the contrary, Joao Pedro and Estevao do appear, who were left out of the official call.

Neymar Jr. could also be launched as an 'Extra Sticker'

Yes, it sounds ugly and is not the same for many, but it would also be a solution to include it in the collection. Furthermore, by being part of the 'Extra Strickers', the Neymar sheet would acquire much more value, since it is not necessarily pastable on the album.

There are those who prefer to keep them as a souvenir, as if they were cards without the self-adhesive.

Panini previously explained that these are additional cards and included randomly in the packs. In addition, they have an action image, that is, with the player on the field, with a different design and do not have a number on the back.

It should be noted that these types of situations are out of Panini's hands, since they are decisions made by the selectors in the days leading up to the 2026 World Cup. The same happens with footballers who are injured at the last minute and who also appear in the album.