World Cup 2026: Injured Brazil forward Neymar could miss the start of the tournament

Brazil forward Neymar will not play in his country’s upcoming friendlies and could also miss their World Cup opener.

The 34-year-old is out for “two to three weeks” with a calf injury.

This means he will miss Sunday’s home friendly against Panama and Saturday June 6 against Egypt in a friendly in Cleveland, Ohio.

Five-time winners Brazil open their World Cup Group C campaign against Morocco in New Jersey on June 13, then face Haiti in Philadelphia on June 19 and Scotland in Miami on June 24.

Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar revealed Neymar’s injury in a press conference and said: “Neymar has undergone all medical tests, which concluded with an MRI scan that the grade two calf injury is not just swelling. He is expected to be clear in two to three weeks.”

A grade two calf strain is a moderate injury that involves a partial tear of muscle fibers that requires rest and rehabilitation.

Neymar, who has 79 goals in 128 international appearances, joined the squad on Tuesday but missed Wednesday’s first training session and was sent for tests after complaining of swelling in his right calf.

A diagnosis different from that presented by his Santos club doctor before the squad was announced. Rodrigo Zogaib said the problem was just swelling and Neymar would be fit to start training.

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti was already without Arsenal defender Gabriel and forward Gabriel Martinelli for the Panama game due to their involvement in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30.

Defender Marquinhos, who captains both Brazil and PSG, is unavailable for the same reason.

Neymar has not played for the Selecao since 2023 amid his injury struggles but was selected for the World Cup ahead of Chelsea striker Joao Pedro and Tottenham forward Richarlison.

Making the squad means Neymar can play at a fourth World Cup, having also represented Brazil at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

Neymar broke down in tears at the 2014 tournament in Brazil as he was carried off on a stretcher after suffering a back injury. During the quarter final win over Colombia.

Italian Ancelotti revealed his squad at a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro and fans cheered when Neymar’s name was announced.

Ancelotti, 66, who was appointed by Brazil last year, said at the time: “We spent the whole year analyzing Neymar. We realized that he had consistency and was in good physical condition in this last period.”