Neymar Sidelined for Brazil's 2026 World Cup Opener Against Morocco

Brazil will kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign without talismanic forward Neymar, as coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed the veteran will be unavailable for the highly anticipated opener against Morocco. The match, scheduled for Saturday, June 13, at the New York New Jersey Stadium, marks the start of the five-time champions' journey in the expanded 48-team tournament hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Neymar, who holds the record as Brazil's all-time leading international scorer and boasts eight World Cup goals, has been recovering from a right calf injury sustained in mid-May. He has not featured for the national side since 2023. While his absence for the initial fixture is a blow, Ancelotti indicated that the prolific attacker is expected to rejoin training next week, suggesting a potential return for later group stage matches.

Speaking on Friday, Ancelotti emphasized Neymar's value beyond his undeniable skill, noting that his inclusion in the squad also serves to provide crucial experience and mentorship for the younger players. Brazil will face a challenging opponent in Morocco, who impressed with a fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup. Following their clash with the North African nation, Brazil is set to take on Haiti in their second Group G fixture.