Few players have carried the hopes of Brazil at the FIFA World Cup quite like Neymar. Since making his World Cup debut in 2014, the Brazilian superstar has been the face of the Seleção across three tournaments, producing memorable performances despite injuries and heartbreaking exits.
With Brazil consistently entering tournaments among the favorites, Neymar had often been their key attacking weapon during his prime. Here is a complete look at Neymar's FIFA World Cup record, including appearances, goals, assists, and his performances in each edition of the tournament.
Neymar's Overall FIFA World Cup Stats
Across the 2014, 2018, and 2022 FIFA World Cups, Neymar accumulated impressive numbers for Brazil:
World Cups Played: 3
Matches Played: 13
Goals Scored: 8
Assists: 3
Goal Contributions:11
Best Finish: Fourth Place (2014)
His tally of eight World Cup goals places him among Brazil's highest scorers in tournament history, alongside legendary names such as Rivaldo and just behind Pelé and Ronaldo Nazário.
2014 FIFA World Cup: Neymar's Breakthrough Tournament
The 2014 World Cup on home soil was expected to be Neymar's grand arrival on football's biggest stage, and he delivered immediately.
The then-22-year-old scored twice in Brazil's opening match against Croatia and followed it up with another brace against Cameroon in the group stage. By the end of the quarter-finals, he had scored four goals in five appearances, carrying much of Brazil's attacking burden.
However, disaster struck in the quarter-final against Colombia when Neymar suffered a serious back injury following a challenge from Juan Zúñiga. The injury ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament, including Brazil's infamous 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals.
2014 World Cup Stats:
Matches: 5
Goals: 4
Assists: 1
2018 FIFA World Cup: Leading Brazil in Russia
After recovering from a foot injury that threatened his participation, Neymar entered the 2018 World Cup as one of the tournament's biggest stars.
He started slowly but grew into the competition. Neymar scored against Costa Rica in the group stage and added another goal against Mexico in the Round of 16. He also provided an assist during Brazil's campaign.
Despite his contributions, Brazil's hopes ended in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 defeat to Belgium.
2018 World Cup Stats:
Matches: 5
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
2022 FIFA World Cup: Agony in Qatar
Many observers believed Qatar 2022 represented Neymar's best opportunity to finally win the World Cup.
His tournament began with an ankle injury suffered against Serbia, forcing him to miss Brazil's remaining group-stage matches. Neymar returned for the knockout rounds and played a decisive role against South Korea before producing a moment of brilliance in the quarter-final against Croatia.
The Brazilian star scored in extra time to put Brazil ahead and move level with Pelé's national team goal record at the time. However, Croatia equalized late before eliminating Brazil in a penalty shootout.
2022 World Cup Stats:
Matches: 3
Goals: 2
Neymar's World Cup Legacy
Although Neymar has yet to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy, his individual record remains outstanding. Across 13 appearances, he registered eight goals and three assists, directly contributing to 11 Brazilian goals on football's biggest stage.
Injuries have repeatedly interrupted his World Cup journeys, particularly in 2014 and 2022, leaving fans wondering what might have been. Nevertheless, Neymar remains one of Brazil's greatest World Cup performers of the modern era and a player whose influence on the Seleção's World Cup history is undeniable. He's still suffering from injury issues even in 2026, and thus it remains to be seen how much of an impact he can have for Carlo Ancelotti's side in the tournament.
Should he be able to have an impact in the 2026 Tournament, Neymar will have the opportunity to add another chapter to an already remarkable individual World Cup story.
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