Neymar Ruled Out of Brazil's World Cup Opener, Group Stage Doubtful

Brazil's aspirations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been dealt an early blow, as veteran forward Neymar is confirmed to miss their highly anticipated tournament opener against Morocco. National team coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed the 34-year-old Santos striker is still recovering from a calf injury, casting a shadow over his participation beyond the initial fixture.

Speaking ahead of a friendly match in New Jersey, Ancelotti provided an update on Neymar's condition, stating that while the player is making progress, he is not yet ready for a return to competitive action. The Italian coach expressed hope that Neymar could rejoin full training sessions sometime next week, but stopped short of guaranteeing his availability for Brazil's subsequent Group F fixtures against Haiti on June 19 and Scotland on June 24.

Neymar, who has been absent from recent training sessions and missed pre-tournament warm-up games against Panama and Egypt, was nonetheless included in Ancelotti's 2026 World Cup squad. The coach justified the decision by highlighting the forward's invaluable experience and leadership qualities, emphasizing that his presence extends beyond his on-field performance and serves as a positive influence for younger players within the squad vying for glory in the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.