Neymar Set to Miss Brazils World Cup Opener After Calf Injury
Brazil star Neymar is expected to miss the team’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opener after suffering a grade 2 calf injury. The 34 year old forward was ruled out for Brazil’s upcoming friendlies against Panama and Egypt after MRI scans confirmed a partial muscle tear.
Neymar, Brazil’s record scorer with 79 goals in 128 matches, could be sidelined for up to 3 weeks.
As the Brazil national team prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a major setback has arrived with Neymar ruled out due to a grade two calf injury. The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed that scans conducted after Neymar reported swelling in his right calf revealed a partial muscle tear. Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar stated that the 34 year old forward will need around 2 to 3 weeks for recovery and rehabilitation.
Neymar had joined Brazil’s camp at Granja Comary earlier this week but missed training before undergoing MRI tests at a private clinic in Teresopolis. The injury means Brazil’s all time leading scorer, with 79 goals in 128 international matches, will miss the upcoming friendlies against Panama at the Maracana and Egypt in Cleveland. He is also highly unlikely to feature in Brazil’s World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey.
The diagnosis came as a surprise because Santos had earlier described the issue as simple swelling. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti is already dealing with several absences, including Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos, and Gabriel Martinelli. Neymar’s latest injury setback now leaves Brazil facing another major challenge ahead of the tournament.