Why is Neymar benched for Brazil vs Norway in FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16
(Courtesy : Getty)
Neymar is on the bench for the Brazil vs Norway match tonight.
Brazil took on Norway in an exciting Round of 16 fixture in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 5. The five-time champions were the heavy favourites for tonight’s game, but the Vikings will look to give a stern competition to the Selecao.
Carlo Ancelotti named a strong starting lineup for the South American giants, but one big name is missing from it: Neymar. The Santos forward was named on the substitutes’ bench for the upcoming clash.
In his place, Ancelotti stuck with Vinicius Jr. on the left flank. Bournemouth youngster RRayan, who has been a breakout star in the expanded 48-team edition in North America, starts on the right wing. Matheus Cunha starts as the team’s lone striker.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli starts just behind the striker, while Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes start in midfield. Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos form the centre-back pairing, with Douglas Santos and Danilo starting in the full-back positions.
Also Read: Brazil vs Norway: Full list of substitutes
Why is Neymar not starting?
The 34-year-old forward is among the substitutes. He is one of the several big names on the bench, with Raphinha, Endrick, and Igor Thiago also among the substitutes.
However, the former Barcelona man has been nursing a grade two calf strain and missed the first two group-stage matches for the Selecao. He finally made his debut in the tournament in the match against Scotland, coming off the bench in the second half.
He was again on the bench in the Round of 32 game against Japan and did not make an appearance. However, it remains to be seen if he would appear in the second half of tonight’s match against Norway.
Why is Neymar benched for Brazil vs Norway?
The forward is on the bench because he just recovered from a grade two calf strain.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.