World Cup 2026: Brazil suffer Neymar injury blow ahead of tournament with star set to miss opener
Published 28/05/2026 at 19:28 GMT+1
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Neymar has been ruled out for "two to three weeks" with a calf injury and could miss Brazil's opening game at this summer's FIFA World Cup, the team's doctor said on Thursday.
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The 34-year-old, who was included in Carlo Ancelotti's 26-man squad to travel to North America, has not played for his club side, Santos, since May 17 with injury.
And Brazil's doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirmed in a press conference that Neymar will face a prolonged spell on the sidelines as he recovers.
"Neymar reported for duty yesterday here at Granja Comary, underwent all the medical tests, which concluded with an MRI scan revealing a grade-two calf injury, not just swelling," Lasmar told reporters.
"He is expected to be cleared in two to three weeks."
According to Reuters, Neymar travelled to join the team on Tuesday but missed Wednesday's training, before being sent to a clinic in Teresopolis for tests.
Reuters reported that the Grade 2 calf strain diagnosis is different from what Santos found, with the club doctor stating that Neymar would arrive to Brazil's camp fit.
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As a result of the injury, Neymar will miss Brazil's warm-up friendlies against Panama on Sunday and against Egypt in Cleveland on Saturday, June 6.
Brazil's all-time leading scorer now faces a race to be fit for their opening game of the World Cup against Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey.
Also in Group C alongside Brazil and African champions Morocco are Scotland and Haiti. Brazil face Haiti on June 20 and Scotland on June 24.
Ancelotti is already without Arsenal's Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli and PSG's Marquinhos for the friendly against Panama due to their involvement in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday in Budapest, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Neymar, who has scored 79 international goals in 128 appearances, has not played for the national team since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in October 2023.
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He has not been included in any of Ancelotti's squads during the Italian's year in charge, and there were doubts over whether Neymar would be called up for the 2026 World Cup due to his struggles with form and injury for Santos this season.
Neymar has played 15 times for Santos this season, scoring six goals and providing four assists.
But the forward was recalled for the tournament - which will be held in the US, Canada and Mexico - and should he take to the field, he would make his fourth appearance at a World Cup.
If Neymar does miss Brazil's opening game, Ancelotti has a long list of attackers he can call upon, including Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Endrick, Igor Thiago, Rayan, Luiz Henrique and Martinelli.
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At the World Cup, Neymar has scored eight goals in 13 matches, with his best campaign coming at the 2014 tournament in his home country, as Brazil finished fourth.
That tournament, which was held in Brazil, ended in disappointment for Neymar as he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher in tears during the quarter-finals having suffered a back injury.
In both 2018 and 2022, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals, while the five-time winners have not been victorious since 2002.
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