Why did Neymar miss Brazil vs Haiti FIFA World Cup 2026 clash?
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The Selecao are looking to find some form!
Brazil took on Haiti. However, the focus was on Neymar, with the talismanic striker missing out on his second consecutive match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 due to injury.
The 34-year-old is currently nursing a grade two calf strain on his right leg. Despite being a surprise entry in Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-player squad for the World Cup, the veteran forward was forced to sit out the opening game against Morocco, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Against weaker opposition, such as Haiti, fans had hoped that Neymar would finally be afforded some minutes. Calls for a comeback were boosted by reports that the veteran forward returned to full training with his teammates at the start of the week.
However, any hopes of him playing against Haiti were dashed when the starting lineups were announced, and the Santos man’s name was not in the playing XI or among the substitutes.
Also Read: Brazil starting lineup vs Haiti as confirmed Neymar not in squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 clash
Neymar misses out on Haiti match
The reason the former Barcelona attacker was not given minutes against Les Grenadiers was to protect him for the latter stages of the expanded 48-man tournament. Earlier, it was reported that Ancelotti and the medical staff were playing it safe with Neymar, who would be reintegrated into the lineup only once he was adjudged to be pain-free.
However, the Brazilian Football Federation said in a statement on Thursday that he was not part of the delegation travelling to Philadelphia and was ruled out of the following game. “He will remain in New Jersey to optimise the final phase of his recovery process,” the statement said.
Media reports suggested that he would not take to the field for the final Group C game against Scotland either. Ancelotti is reportedly planning to field Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 79 goals, in the Round of 32.
Despite being plagued by injuries of late, Neymar remains one of the biggest names in world football, and his experience will be invaluable for the young Selecao side, who are projected to mount a bid for what will be their sixth World Cup title.
Why did Neymar not play vs Haiti?
He is recovering from a grade two calf strain and was withheld from the squad to protect him for later stages of the tournament.
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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.