Brazil’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered an early setback after Neymar Jr was ruled out of the Seleção’s upcoming friendly matches with a fresh calf injury that could also jeopardize his participation in their opening group game against Morocco.
The 34-year-old forward has been diagnosed with a grade two calf strain after undergoing medical examinations with the national team’s doctors.
Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirmed the extent of the injury at a press conference, revealing that Neymar could spend up to three weeks on the sidelines. “Neymar underwent all the medical tests, which concluded with an MRI scan revealing a grade two calf injury, not just swelling. He is expected to be cleared in two to three weeks,” Lasmar stated.
The injury means the Santos playmaker will miss Brazil’s international friendlies against Panama and Egypt as Carlo Ancelotti’s side continues preparations for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Neymar had only recently returned to the national team setup after nearly three years away from the Seleção.
His inclusion in Brazil’s final World Cup squad had been one of the biggest talking points following months of uncertainty surrounding his fitness and form.
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The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star joined the Brazil camp earlier this week but missed the team’s first training session on Wednesday after complaining of swelling in his right calf.
Scans later confirmed a partial tear in the muscle fibres, an injury that typically requires rest and rehabilitation before a player can resume competitive action.
The diagnosis also contradicted earlier assessments from Santos club doctor Rodrigo Zogaib, who had suggested Neymar was only dealing with minor swelling and would be fit enough to begin training with the national team.
Now, Brazil face an anxious wait to determine whether their all-time leading scorer will recover in time for the World Cup opener against Morocco on 13 June in New Jersey.
Neymar’s return to the national team had already generated excitement among Brazilian supporters after he was named in Carlo Ancelotti’s final squad despite not featuring for the Seleção since 2023.
The veteran attacker was preferred ahead of Chelsea striker João Pedro and Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison as Ancelotti sought experience and creativity in his attacking options.
The injury concern is another frustrating chapter in Neymar’s long battle with fitness problems in recent years. Since leaving Europe for Santos, the forward has struggled to maintain consistent playing time, with muscular injuries repeatedly interrupting his comeback attempts.
Despite those setbacks, Ancelotti remained convinced that Neymar deserved a place in the squad after monitoring his progress closely throughout the year. “We spent the entire year analysing Neymar. We realised that in this last period he had continuity and was in good physical condition,” Ancelotti said when announcing the squad in Rio de Janeiro.
Fans at the ceremony erupted in celebration when Neymar’s name was read out, underlining the emotional connection between the player and Brazilian supporters ahead of what could be his fourth World Cup appearance.
Neymar has represented Brazil at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups and remains one of the country’s most influential players of the modern era.
He has scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for the national team, the highest tally in Seleção history.
However, World Cups have often brought heartbreak for the Brazilian star. During the 2014 tournament on home soil, Neymar suffered a serious back injury in the quarter-final victory over Colombia and was ruled out of the remainder of the competition in emotional scenes that left the nation devastated.
Brazil will now hope history does not repeat itself as they attempt to manage the latest injury scare carefully before the tournament begins.
The five-time world champions open their Group C campaign against Morocco before facing Haiti in Philadelphia and Scotland in Miami later in the first round.
Ancelotti is already dealing with several absentees for the Panama friendly, with Arsenal duo Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli unavailable because of their involvement in the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. PSG captain Marquinhos will also miss the fixture for the same reason.
While Brazil remain optimistic Neymar can recover and play a part in the tournament’s group phase, uncertainty now surrounds whether the Santos forward will be fit enough to start the tournament from the opening whistle.
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