Will Neymar miss 2026 FIFA World Cup? Brazil receive worrying update two weeks before event

Neymar was set to make a fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup after being named in Brazil's squad by coach Carlo Ancelotti last week, despite the iconic forward's fitness still being a matter of concern. The 34-year-old superstar's participation, however, suddenly appears doubtful with two weeks left for the quadrennial international football event that the United States will be co-hosting with Mexico and Canada this summer. Neymar, after all, missed Brazil's first training session ahead of the World Cup at the Granja Comary football complex in Teresópolis near Rio de Janeiro in order to undergo medical tests, which revealed a grade-two calf injury for the veteran star. And according to Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, Neymar is set to be ruled out for two to three weeks, meaning he will be missing the team's opening game of the World Cup.

"Neymar reported for duty yesterday here at Granja Comary, 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 was quoted by Reuters as saying at a players' press conference on Thursday. Lasmar, however, refused to confirm whether Neymer – Brazil's all-time leading goal-scorer who had featured in the last three editions of the World Cup – would be dropped from the squad altogether or not. Did Santos fail to disclose full extent of Neymar's injury?

The latest fitness update differs greatly from the information provided by Santos, the club that he currently plays for. Rodrigo Zogaib, the club doctor, had described the issue as a minor swelling and had claimed that the attacking midfielder would be fit for the opening training session. Neymar, who had returned to his boyhood club Santos in the Brazilian top division last year from Al Hilal, has been dealing with fitness-related problems ever since he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear more than two years ago.

However, Ancelotti, appointed Brazil's coach last year, had claimed Neymar had "has improved his fitness" at the time of unveiling the squad, describing him as an "important player in this World Cup". Five-time champions Brazil are placed in Group C along with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in the inaugural 48-team World Cup and begin their campaign against Morocco on 13 June. They are also scheduled to play Panama and Egypt in friendlies before the World Cup. And while Neymar is expected to miss the friendlies as well as the World Cup opener, Brazil will be hoping he recovers in time for the fixture against Haiti on 20 June.