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Will Neymar miss the entire FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage? Brazil makes a key decision
Concerns surrounding Neymar resurfaced after the Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed that the forward will not travel with the team for its upcoming match against Haiti.
Concerns surrounding Neymar resurfaced after the Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed that the forward will not travel with the team for its upcoming match against Haiti.
But does that mean Brazil's all-time leading scorer will miss the entire group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026?
At this stage, the answer appears to be no.
Neymar ruled out against Haiti
Brazil announced on Thursday that Neymar will remain in New Jersey to complete the final phase of his recovery instead of traveling to Philadelphia for the team's second Group C match.
"Neymar will not travel with the delegation to Philadelphia. He will remain in New Jersey to optimize the final phase of his recovery process," the CBF said in a statement.
The Santos forward had returned to full training with the squad on Wednesday and Thursday, raising hopes of a comeback against Haiti.
However, Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff decided not to rush his return.
Will he miss the entire group stage?
Current expectations suggest Neymar could still feature in Brazil's final group-stage match.
Brazil's medical staff now hopes to have the No. 10 available for the clash against Scotland next Wednesday in Miami.
Barring any setbacks, the former Barcelona and PSG star is not expected to miss the entire opening phase of the tournament.
A recovery that requires patience
Neymar suffered a Grade II calf injury on May 17 during a Brasileirão match.
Although Santos initially described the issue as minor swelling, further tests conducted by the CBF revealed a more serious injury that required an estimated recovery period of two to three weeks.
Despite concerns over his fitness, Carlo Ancelotti kept him in Brazil's World Cup squad, valuing the veteran's experience and leadership.
The 34-year-old was on the bench during Brazil's opening match against Morocco but did not warm up as he continued his rehabilitation process.
While Brazil pursues qualification against Haiti, Neymar will continue working at Columbia Park in New Jersey with the goal of returning for the decisive stages of the tournament.
The Seleção remains hopeful that its greatest modern star can still make a major impact when it matters most.
