Neymar is unlikely to feature in any of Brazil’s group stage matches at the 2026 World Cup, according to reports emerging from Spain and Italy on the eve of the Selecao’s opener against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday.
Brazil completed their final training session in New Jersey on Friday with a full squad in attendance, with one conspicuous exception. Neymar, who is carrying a calf injury sustained with Santos, again trained separately from the group and was not involved in the technical and tactical work that occupied the rest of the squad in the 24 hours before kick-off.
Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar had previously indicated that the 34-year-old faced a recovery period of two to three weeks. Now, according to Spanish broadcaster TVE and Italian outlet Sky Sport Italia, Ancelotti may have to manage without his captain for the entirety of the group stage. That would mean Neymar misses not only the Morocco fixture but also Brazil’s second group match against Haiti in Philadelphia on 20 June and their third against Scotland on 25 June.
It is a significant blow, even if not an entirely surprising one. Neymar has been unable to string together more than two consecutive league appearances for Santos throughout the calendar year, injury having reduced him to a peripheral figure at club level. Despite those concerns, Carlo Ancelotti included him in the squad, a decision that reflected both his stature within the group and his status as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer.
That record stands at 78 international goals from 128 caps, making him the second most capped player in Brazil’s history. His 59 assists further underline his contribution to the national team over a career spanning nearly two decades.
Under FIFA regulations, teams are permitted to replace an injured player up to 24 hours before their opening match. Whether Brazil will exercise that option remains to be seen, though Ancelotti has emphasised that his squad possesses sufficient attacking depth to cope with the absence. Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and Matheus Cunha represent a front line capable of troubling any defence in the tournament, and all three are expected to start against Morocco.
Brazil enter Group C as strong favourites to progress. They have not won the World Cup since 2002, a drought of 24 years that weighs heavily on a nation that measures itself by the number of stars on the shirt. The pressure on Ancelotti to deliver a deep run is considerable, and beginning the campaign without their talisman adds an unwanted layer of uncertainty to what was already a significant test against a Morocco side ranked seventh in the world.
Morocco, meanwhile, are preparing for the match in strong spirits despite their own injury disruptions ahead of the tournament. Their Group C campaign continues with a match against Scotland in Boston on 20 June before they face Haiti in Atlanta on 25 June.
