Neymar Jr to Miss Brazil's 2026 World Cup Opener Against Morocco

Brazil's quest for a record sixth FIFA World Cup title in 2026 will begin without one of their most prominent figures, as veteran forward Neymar Jr. has been confirmed sidelined for their opening Group D fixture against Morocco. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti delivered the news, indicating that the prolific attacker is not yet fit enough to return from a calf injury sustained shortly after his inclusion in the 26-man squad.

The five-time world champions are set to kick off their tournament campaign on Friday, but Neymar, who suffered a Grade 2 calf injury, has been unable to participate in team training sessions. While his absence from the initial match is confirmed, Ancelotti expressed a degree of optimism regarding the 34-year-old's recovery timeline. The coach anticipates that Brazil's all-time leading scorer could rejoin group training sometime next week, though he has not featured in a competitive match since mid-May.

Despite the injury setback and his lack of recent match fitness, Ancelotti made the strategic decision to retain Neymar in the squad rather than replace him with a fully healthy player. This move underscores the coaching staff's belief in Neymar's eventual impact and his importance to the team's ambitions as they navigate the expanded 48-team tournament hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.