Will Neymar play tonight during Brazil's FIFA World Cup 2026 clash with Haiti?

Neymar suffered an injury only days after being selected in the 26-man Brazil squad for the FIFA World Cup.

Neymar’s selection in Brazil’s 26-man squad was nothing less than a surprise for the football world. The 34-year-old was called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Chelsea’s Joao Pedro was left out.

However, as soon as the news became public, fans got excited about watching the 34-year-old in action for the last time at the summer competition. The Brazilian attacker has eight goals in the FIFA World Cup, spread across three campaigns.

Nevertheless, Neymar’s unavailability has been a huge issue for Carlo Ancelotti. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star missed the Seleção’s opening game of the competition against last edition’s semi-finalists, Morocco, due to a calf issue.

The game ended level on both sides, 1-1, as Vinicius Jr found the back of the net for Brazil. However, creativity was missing from the Seleção’s playing style in their first game, and if Neymar returns, the issue would be solved for the five-time champions.

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Why did Neymar play against Haiti in the FIFA World Cup 2026?

CBF (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol) has announced that Neymar will not travel to Philadelphia to join the Brazilian National Team delegation for their second match at the FIFA World Cup against Haiti. The game is scheduled for Friday, June 19, at the Philadelphia Stadium in Pennsylvania.

The former Barcelona and PSG star will remain in New Jersey to focus on the final phase of his recovery, as he’s keen to return to the five-time champions.

Since the start of the World Cup, multiple reports have speculated about a different recovery timeline for Neymar Jr.’s return to the tournament. While reports claimed he would be able to return in time, a few reports revealed that the 34-year-old has been ruled out of the entire group stage of the summer competition.

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen when the 34-year-old finally makes his return in the FIFA World Cup.

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