Brazil will have to begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey without star forward Neymar. The veteran player has been ruled out of the team's Group C opener against Morocco after failing to recover from a calf injury in time for the match. The update was provided by head coach Carlo Ancelotti just before Brazil's first game of the tournament.
Disappointment for Brazilian Fans
The news comes as a disappointment for Brazilian fans who were eager to see the country's all-time leading scorer back on the field at the World Cup. Neymar has not played for Brazil since 2023 and has spent much of the last few years battling various injuries. Despite concerns over his fitness, Ancelotti included the 34-year-old in the World Cup squad, believing his experience could still play an important role during the tournament.
Potential Return Later in Group Stage
Even though Neymar will miss the Morocco game, Brazil have not given up hope of seeing him later in the group stage. Ancelotti revealed that the forward is making progress and could return to full team training next week if his recovery continues as planned. That timeline could make him available for Brazil's remaining group matches.
Carlo Ancelotti stated, "He is working hard to get fit as quickly as possible. We hope he can return to full training next week."
Injury History and Management
According to reports from talkSPORT, Neymar's calf injury has kept him out of recent training sessions and warm-up matches. The problem dates back to May, when he suffered the injury while playing for Santos. Since then, the Brazilian medical staff have been carefully managing his recovery process.
Upcoming Group C Matches
Brazil will face Haiti on June 19 after the Morocco match before closing the group stage against Scotland on June 24. If Neymar returns to training next week as expected, he could have a chance to feature in one or both of those matches. His absence once again highlights the fitness concerns that have followed him throughout the later stages of his career.
Still, Ancelotti believes Neymar's leadership and experience remain valuable for a squad that is trying to win Brazil's first World Cup title since 2002. As Group C begins, the focus now shifts to whether Brazil can make a strong start without their famous No. 10 while waiting for his possible return later in the tournament.
