Neymar Sidelined for Brazil's World Cup Opener Against Morocco
Published June 13, 2026
Brazilian star Neymar will miss the national team's opening FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C fixture against Morocco due to ongoing fitness issues, with coach Carlo Ancelotti confirming his absence.
Published — local time around the world
Brazil's highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign has begun without one of its most prominent figures, as Neymar has been confirmed out of the squad for their Group C clash against Morocco. The veteran forward, aged 34, was not included in the matchday roster for the tournament opener held at the New York New Jersey Stadium, commonly known as MetLife Stadium.
The reason for Neymar's absence stems from fitness concerns, specifically a right calf injury he sustained in May 2026 while playing for his club, Santos. Despite being Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer and having eight World Cup goals to his name, the forward has not yet fully recovered from the ailment, prompting the coaching staff to err on the side of caution.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media prior to the match, confirming Neymar's unavailability. Ancelotti indicated that the prolific attacker is diligently working on his recovery and is anticipated to rejoin team training sometime next week. This suggests a hopeful, albeit cautious, approach to integrating him back into the team as the tournament progresses.