Will Neymar play for Brazil vs Egypt in World Cup prep friendly?

Neymar has been called up to the Brazil World Cup squad.

The Brazil national football team will be concluding their 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations against Egypt on June 7 (IST). The teams will be facing off at Huntington Bank Field, with the team currently based in New Jersey. Brazil will begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 14.

Brazil are entering the matchup without star defender Gabriel Magalhães. He has been rested due to accumulated physical fatigue.

Also read: Will Cristiano Ronaldo play for Portugal vs Chile in World Cup prep friendly?

Carlo Ancelotti updates on Neymar Jr’s availability against Egypt

Neymar joined the national team camp in late May. However, manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that he will not be part of the squad against Egypt. He has announced that Lucas Paquetá and striker Igor Thiago will feature in the game to fill Neymar’s creative void.

“I think Neymar’s situation is very clear. He is doing excellent individual work. Tomorrow he will undergo an MRI, and if everything goes well, he will rejoin the main group next week.”

Neymar sustained a grade-two calf strain during his last appearance for the season for Santos. Initially, the club doctors diagnosed minor swelling, leading to his highly celebrated call-up to the national team.

He arrived at Brazil’s camp on May 27. There, he underwent a detailed MRI scan with national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar. The scans shockingly revealed a Grade 2 muscle injury in his right calf, ruling him out for almost three weeks.

Lasmar officially ruled the forward out of both preparatory fixtures against Panama and Egypt to prevent a full muscle rupture. While his World Cup appearance is in jeopardy, Carlo Ancelotti is fully confident about Neymar’s return before the commencement of the group stages.

Brazil will be playing in Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, considered a manageable qualifying scenario for the record tournament champions. They will play alongside Morocco, Scotland and Haiti.

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