Neymar ruled out of Brazil's World Cup opener vs Morocco in 2026

Brazil will start their 2026 World Cup campaign without Neymar due to a calf injury.

Brazil's opening match Brazil's first World Cup game of 2026 against Morocco will see Neymar miss the action due to a calf injury. The 34-year-old forward has not yet returned to full training sessions. His recovery progress remains limited at this stage. Manager Ancelotti has confirmed Neymar's absence for the Saturday opener. ## Neymar's training timeline Neymar is expected to begin training with the full Brazil squad next week as part of his recovery plan. His availability for the second group game against Haiti on June 20 remains uncertain. Brazil's final group-stage match against Scotland is scheduled for June 24. The coaching staff continues to monitor his progress closely. ## Ancelotti's comments on Neymar Ancelotti stated that Neymar is putting in maximum effort to recover quickly. He added that the player's return to training next week is anticipated. The manager highlighted Neymar's unquestionable technical ability and his role as a mentor for younger teammates. Ancelotti also emphasized Neymar's experience as a key reason for his selection. ## Neymar's international career status Neymar has not featured for Brazil since 2023 due to recurring injury issues. Despite this, he was named in the 2026 World Cup squad over Chelsea's Joao Pedro and Tottenham's Richarlison. His 79 goals across 128 appearances make him Brazil's all-time top scorer. This record surpasses Pele's previous total of 77 goals. ## World Cup history and future Neymar has represented Brazil at the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cup editions. A potential appearance in 2026 would mark his fourth tournament. The Santos forward remains a key figure for the Selecao despite injury concerns. His experience is highly valued in high-pressure matches.