Brazilian star footballer Neymar Jr. is likely to miss the team’s opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Morocco. Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the development on Saturday.
Brazil will begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Morocco in the first Group C game. Speaking ahead of Brazil’s opening match, the head coach Ancelotti said Neymar is working hard to regain his fitness after suffering a right calf injury in mid-May.
According to the Brazil coach, the star forward is progressing well and is expected to resume training next week. The update raises hopes that Neymar could return during the group stage if his recovery continues as planned. Highlighting Neymar’s influence beyond the field, Ancelotti said his experience and leadership remain valuable for a squad that includes several younger players.
Neymar has not represented Brazil since 2023 and was included in the World Cup squad despite concerns over his fitness. The star forward remains Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer and one of the most experienced members of the current squad. Across four previous World Cup appearances, he has scored eight goals for his country.
Brazil face Morocco in their first Group C encounter at the New York New Jersey Stadium. The match pits the five-time champions against the side that reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup. Following the Morocco fixture, Brazil will take on Haiti on June 19 before concluding their group-stage campaign against Scotland on June 24. With the tournament only beginning, Brazil remain hopeful that Neymar’s World Cup involvement has merely been delayed rather than derailed.
Since the announcement of FIFA 2026, the sports pundit has been predicted that this would be last World Cup for Neymar Junior, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.