Brazil Coach: Neymar to Miss World Cup Opener Due to Unhealed Leg Injury

2026 FIFA World Cup Key News

Central News Agency, New York, 13th – International Wire Report

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed today that national team star Neymar will miss Brazil’s opening group stage match against Morocco later today. The 34-year-old Neymar has not yet returned to full training due to an unhealed calf injury.

According to BBC reporting, Ancelotti stated that Neymar is expected to rejoin the national team for full training next week, but whether he can participate in Brazil’s second group match remains uncertain. Brazil is scheduled to face Haiti on the 20th and Scotland on the 24th.

Neymar previously played for La Liga’s Barcelona and Ligue 1’s Paris Saint-Germain, and has represented Brazil in three World Cups: 2014, 2018, and 2022.

Ancelotti said: "Neymar is working very hard on his rehabilitation and hopes to recover as soon as possible. We expect him to be fit and rejoin the team next week. We called him up not only because of his unquestionable technical ability, but also because of his experience and the example he sets for these young players."

Neymar has not played for the Brazilian national team (Selecao) since 2023 due to injuries, yet he remains ahead of Premier League Chelsea forward Joao Pedro and Tottenham forward Richarlison on the World Cup roster.

Neymar has played 128 matches for the national team, scoring 79 goals, making him Brazil’s all-time top scorer, surpassing the legendary Pele’s record of 77 goals. (Translation: Hung Chi-Yuan) 1150613

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