BREAKING: Neymar set to miss Brazil vs Haiti FIFA World Cup 2026 clash - Report
(Courtesy : Getty)
Neymar missed his team’s World Cup opener against Morocco with an injury.
Brazil had a disappointing start to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco. Neymar missed the match due to a muscle injury and was on the bench to see his compatriots fail to win in their Group C opener.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti raised a few eyebrows when he named 34-year-old Neymar in the Selecao’s 26-player squad. The former Barcelona man is his country’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, but has been ravaged by injuries in the last few years.
His chances of playing in his fourth World Cup suffered a setback when he was diagnosed with a grade two calf strain, which ruled him out of the Morocco clash. The veteran forward is yet to return to full training, with the date of his comeback still unclear.
“Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible,” Ancelotti said earlier. “When we called up Neymar, we did it not just because of his technical quality, which is undeniable. But also because of his experience, the example he could represent for the younger players on the team.”
Also Read: Neymar to miss entire group stage of FIFA World Cup 2026 for Brazil – Report
Brazil’s Neymar rehabilitation plan
According to media reports, the Brazilian medical department will take a cautious and patient approach when dealing with Neymar’s injury. The Selecao will face Haiti in its next group-stage game on June 19. But the forward is out for the upcoming match vs Haiti, a new report suggests.
According to various media reports, he did not take part in training and instead went to a clinic to have another test on his injured right knee. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) did not reveal the results of the test.
Neymar has not trained under Ancelotti since arriving at the training camp on May 27. ESPN reported that the national team’s medical and coaching staff will handle the striker’s injury with care, hoping to avoid aggravating it and ending his campaign prematurely.
As a result, the injured forward will continue to increase his workload at the gym. Media reports indicated that he would start individual training on the pitch this week. He will move to full training sessions only when the medical team ascertains that he is pain-free.
The goal for the five-time champions is to have the experienced forward fit and firing in time for the Round of 32. However, that depends on the Selecao’s form in the tournament, with group-stage matches against Haiti and Scotland to follow.
Why did Neymar miss the Brazil vs Morocco match?
He was ruled out with a grade two calf strain, watching from the bench as Brazil drew their Group C opener against Morocco.
What is Brazil’s rehabilitation plan for Neymar?
The medical team will take a cautious approach, keeping him in gym work and individual sessions until he is pain‑free before returning to full training.
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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.