Brazil talisman Neymar will miss the 2026 World Cup opening match against Morocco due to a calf injury, manager Carlo Ancelotti confirms.
Brazil’s quest for a sixth World Cup title has hit an early speed bump with talisman Neymar officially sidelined for their tournament curtain-raiser.
The veteran forward will sit out Saturday night’s highly anticipated Group C showdown against Morocco at MetLife Stadium. National team manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the 34-year-old is battling a second-grade calf strain, keeping him out of the immediate matchday squad.
Despite the setback, the Seleção coaching staff remains confident about their star player’s longevity in the tournament. Ancelotti revealed that rehab is progressing smoothly, targeting a return to full squad training by next week.
Following their clash with the Atlas Lions, Brazil will navigate the remainder of their group fixtures against Haiti and Scotland, hoping to have their iconic number 10 back in action.