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Brazil kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Morocco at MetLife Stadium on June 14 without their all-time leading scorer. Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Neymar will miss the Group C opener after the forward sustained a calf injury in the lead-up to the tournament. The grade-two calf strain has kept him completely out of team training since Brazil's pre-tournament camp began, and Ancelotti made clear he will not replace Neymar in the squad, insisting all 26 selected players remain part of his plans.

Is Neymar fit enough to feature in Brazil's remaining group stage matches?

Ancelotti reiterated that he expects Neymar to remain part of Brazil's World Cup plans and said the forward 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."


But the picture behind the scenes is less reassuring. UOL Esporte reports that Neymar's availability for the entire group stage is now in doubt. When Brazil's medical staff officially diagnosed the grade-two strain, a two-to-three week recovery window was set, which had initially pointed 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 take part in any on-field sessions with the squad, raising questions about his match sharpness even when he does return.

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. That extended absence from competitive football is one of the key concerns 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 did Ancelotti still pick Neymar despite the injury risk?

It is a question Ancelotti addressed 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 in the squad had he 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."

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.