Morristown, United States. The Brazil national team will not be able to count on Neymar for its second Group C match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Haiti, after the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed that the forward will remain in New Jersey to complete the final phase of his physical recovery.
The entity reported that the player will continue working specifically at the national team’s training center in Morristown, with the goal of arriving in optimal condition for the conclusion of the group stage.
Neymar, who recently overcame a grade II muscle injury in his right calf, returned to normal training with the rest of the squad during the latest sessions led by manager Carlo Ancelotti. However, the coaching staff decided not to risk him and maintain a gradual process before his official return to competition.
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During this Thursday’s practice, the forward had a conversation with Ancelotti before joining the collective exercises, showing positive progress in his physical condition.
The Santos footballer was already present on the bench during the ‘Canarinha’s’ World Cup debut against Morocco, although he did not manage to enter the field of play because he was still in the process of rehabilitation.
The expectation of the Brazilian national team is that Neymar can be available for the third and final group stage match against Scotland, scheduled for next week in Miami.
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The attacker’s injury occurred on May 17th during a Brasileirao match. Although it was initially reported that he was suffering from a muscle edema, subsequent studies conducted by the CBF determined a more complex injury, with an estimated recovery period of between two and three weeks.
Despite the situation, Carlo Ancelotti decided to keep Neymar in the squad for the World Cup, trusting that he would be in condition to contribute to the team during the tournament.
At 34 years old, the greatest icon of Brazilian soccer seeks to return to compete with the senior national team after a prolonged absence caused by the serious knee injury suffered in October 2023 during a South American qualifier match against Uruguay.
Brazil hopes that the attacker’s recovery continues to evolve favorably so they can count on one of their main figures in the decisive stretch of the 2026 World Cup group stage.
