AAP Soccer

Injured Neymar ruled out for Brazil's World Cup opener

By AAP Newswire

Jun 13, 2026

Brazil will be without the legendary Neymar for their first World Cup group stage match because of a calf ‌injury.

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Coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Neymar's injury on Friday (local time).

"He is working hard to be ‌fit again as quickly as possible," Ancelotti said. "We hope he can ‌return to full training next week."

Brazil have a tall task in their opening match against 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco in New Jersey on Saturday (Sunday AEST). It will be the only group-stage game that pits two teams ‌currently in ‌the top ⁠10 of the FIFA world rankings, with Brazil No.6 and Morocco No.8.

Neymar last played on May 17 in a Brazilian league match for his club Santos, and missed all of Brazil's World Cup tune-ups because of the injury.

If the 34-year-old ‌were to make an appearance, he would become the ninth Brazilian to appear in four World ‌Cups.

Neymar has tallied eight goals and four assists across 13 World Cup matches while helping Brazil earn one fourth-placed finish and two quarter-final appearances.

On Saturday, Brazil will be looking to win their eighth game in nine tries against African opponents in ⁠the World Cup. Their lone loss came in 2022 against Cameroon.