Brazil will begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Morocco at MetLife Stadium on June 14 without their all-time leading scorer. Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Neymar will miss the Group C opener after sustaining a calf injury during the lead-up to the tournament.
Neymar's Injury Details
The grade-two calf strain has kept Neymar completely out of team training since Brazil's pre-tournament camp began. Ancelotti made it clear that he will not replace Neymar in the squad, insisting all 26 selected players remain part of his plans.
When asked about Neymar's fitness for remaining group stage matches, Ancelotti reiterated his expectation that Neymar will remain part of Brazil's World Cup plans and could still be available later in the group stage. "Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible," the Italian said on Friday. "The expectation is that he can rejoin the group training next week."
However, the situation behind the scenes appears less reassuring. UOL Esporte reports that Neymar's availability for the entire group stage is now in doubt. When Brazil's medical staff diagnosed the grade-two strain, a two-to-three week recovery window was set, initially pointing toward him being available for the Haiti fixture on June 19. Throughout the week leading into the Morocco opener, Neymar trained only in the gym and did not participate in any on-field sessions with the squad, raising questions about his match sharpness even upon his return.
Extended Absence from Competitive Football
Neymar has not featured for Brazil since suffering an ACL tear in October 2023 and has been out of club action with Santos since May 17. This extended absence from competitive football is a key concern for Ancelotti's backroom staff. Getting him fit enough to train is one thing; getting him sharp enough to perform at a World Cup is another.
Why Ancelotti Selected Neymar Despite Injury Risk
Ancelotti addressed this question directly at his pre-match press conference. "When we called up Neymar, we did it not just because of his technical quality, which is undeniable," the coach said. "But also because of his experience, the example he could represent for the younger players on the team."
When asked whether he would have included Neymar if he had known the full extent of the injury, Ancelotti deflected with dry humour: "If my grandad had wheels, he'd be a car. Since I decided on the squad, Neymar was in the 26."
Managing Neymar Through the Group Stage
The priority now appears to be managing him carefully through the group stage rather than forcing a return. Brazil will face Haiti on June 18 and Scotland on June 23 after the Morocco opener, giving Neymar a short but workable window to prove his fitness. Whether Brazil's medical staff clear him in time remains the central question hanging over their entire tournament.
