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Brazil could be without Neymar for its opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Morocco after the forward picked up a calf injury just weeks before the tournament.
According to reports from Brazil, Neymar will be out for around 2 to 3 weeks after medical tests confirmed a muscle problem in his right calf. The injury already forced him to miss training with the Brazilian national team earlier this week.
The timing is far from ideal for Brazil. Neymar is now expected to miss the team’s final preparation matches before the World Cup, and there are growing doubts over whether he will be fit in time to face Morocco on June 13.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti had recently brought Neymar back into the squad after months of injury and fitness struggles. The 34-year-old remains one of the biggest names in world football and a key player for Brazil despite his recent physical problems.
At first, Brazilian media described the issue as a minor calf problem that would not keep him out for long. But newer reports suggest the injury is more serious than initially expected, with Neymar now following a recovery program under Brazil’s medical staff.
Even so, Neymar tried to calm concerns when speaking briefly to reporters this week, insisting there was no major reason to panic ahead of the World Cup.
Brazil opens its World Cup campaign against Morocco before later facing Haiti and Scotland in Group C.
If Neymar is unavailable, it would be a huge blow for Brazil and a major storyline ahead of one of the most anticipated opening matches of the tournament.
