Neymar's Injury Threatens His Participation in World Cup 2026 Opener
Brazil forward Neymar faces a challenging road ahead as he has been ruled out of the upcoming friendly matches due to a calf injury. The 34-year-old is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks, which raises concerns about his availability for Brazil's World Cup opener. Neymar will miss: Home friendly against Panama on June 4 Friendly match against Egypt in Cleveland, Ohio on June 6 Brazil kicks off their World Cup Group C campaign on June 13 against Morocco in New Jersey, followed by matches against Haiti on June 19 in Philadelphia and Scotland on June 24 in Miami. Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirmed the severity of Neymar's condition, stating, "Neymar underwent all the medical tests, which concluded with an MRI scan revealing a grade two calf injury, not just swelling." This diagnosis indicates a moderate injury involving a partial tear of muscle fibers, necessitating rest and rehabilitation. The injury comes after a period of optimism, as Neymar had recently joined the squad but missed the first training session due to swelling in his right calf. This situation contrasts with the initial assessment from his Santos club doctor, Rodrigo Zogaib, who had indicated that Neymar would arrive fit for training. Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti is already missing key players like Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli due to their participation in the Champions League final, along with Marquinhos, who is unavailable for the same reason. Neymar's selection for the World Cup marks a significant moment, as he could potentially play in his fourth World Cup, following appearances in 2014, 2018, and 2022. Ancelotti expressed confidence in Neymar's fitness prior to the injury, stating, "We realized that in this last period he had continuity and was in good physical condition."
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-28