Will Neymar Play in Australia vs Brazil International Friendly 2026 Match?
Brazilian icon Neymar will miss today's international friendly between Australia and Brazil at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The match, kicking off at 3:30 PM IST on September 29, 2026, is the second encounter of their series, following an impressive 1-1 draw in Townsville.
Football fans eagerly awaiting the sight of Neymar gracing the pitch against the Socceroos today will be disappointed, as the Brazilian superstar has been confirmed absent from the squad for the second international friendly in Brisbane. The highly anticipated match, set to kick off at Suncorp Stadium at 8:00 PM AEST (10:00 AM UTC), marks the conclusion of Brazil's brief tour of Australia. Australia vs Brazil: Rayan's Late Header Rescues Selecao Against Socceroos in Thrilling International Football Friendly.
Neymar's omission comes after he was also left out of the first friendly, which saw Australia impressively hold Brazil to a 1-1 draw in Townsville on Friday, September 25. According to reports, Neymar, who is 34 years old and currently plays for Santos FC, has opted to step away from international football following Brazil's campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a decision that aligns with his absence from Carlo Ancelotti's current Brazil squad.
Australia vs Brazil - Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Teams | Australia vs Brazil |
| Competition | International Friendly (Match 2 of 2) |
| Date | Tuesday, September 29, 2026 |
| Kick-off Time | 8:00 PM AEST (Brisbane Local Time) / 10:00 AM UTC / 3:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia |
Neymar's International Future
The attacking midfielder, born on February 5, 1992, returned to his boyhood club Santos FC in 2025 and has since extended his contract with them until the end of 2026. While he was part of Brazil's squad for the 2026 World Cup, his decision to withdraw from international duty post-tournament signals a new era for the Seleção, with manager Carlo Ancelotti looking to integrate younger talent.
Head-to-Head & Recent Form
The previous encounter on September 25 saw Rayan's last-gasp equalizer deny the Socceroos a historic victory after Nestory Irankunda's stunning free-kick. Historically, Brazil has dominated meetings between the two nations, holding a record of seven wins, one draw, and one loss in nine 'A' internationals. Australia's sole triumph came with a 1-0 victory in the 2001 Confederations Cup third-place playoff. India vs Brazil Football Match: Carlo Ancelotti Says ‘Never a Friendly Game’.
Brazil comes into this game with a strong run in recent international friendlies, securing three wins from four matches. Australia, on the other hand, has a mixed record in the Friendlies 2026 championship, with one draw and one loss from two games prior to today's fixture.
Despite Neymar's absence, the clash promises to be an engaging contest as both teams aim to make a statement. Brazil seeks to cap off their tour with a victory, while the Socceroos, under Tony Popovic, will be eager to build on their impressive draw in Townsville and potentially secure a landmark win against the five-time World Cup champions as they prepare for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 29, 2026 12:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
