NEW YORK, NY — Neymar is expected to miss Brazil’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ warm-up friendlies against Panama and Egypt with a grade two calf injury, which is likely to sideline the veteran forward for two to three weeks.
As such, the 34-year-old’s participation in Brazil’s opener against Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on 13 June is now far from certain.
Neymar sustained the injury during Santos’s 3-0 defeat to Coritiba on 17 May. The following day, he was called up by Carlo Ancelotti for Brazil’s World Cup squad to great fanfare and huge excitement.
Brazil’s 34-year-old star Neymar is expected to Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup warm-up friendlies due to a grade two calf injury – Image Credit: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
“We have been monitoring Neymar throughout the entire year. In this recent period, he has played and improved his physical condition. He is an important player, and he will be important at the World Cup,” Ancelotti explained during the squad announcement.
After the news was confirmed by Brazil’s national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, midfielder Casemiro commented on his longtime friend’s recovery. “The doctor (Lasmar) has already made it quite clear. We have to respect that. No player likes being injured, but let’s hope that Neymar — and all the players — are healthy enough to play, because we know that we need every single player,” he noted. “Progress happens day by day. Every player here is important.”
Drawn into Group C, Ancelotti’s side will face Morocco on 13 June, followed by Haiti on 19 June and Scotland on 24 June.
Information Courtesy of FIFA
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