Neymar Races to Be Fit as Brazil Count Down to World Cup Opener
Brazil's all-time leading scorer is battling to recover from a calf injury ahead of the team's June 13 opener against Morocco, with the latest scan showing his recovery remains on track.
Brazil will open their 2026 World Cup campaign against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on June 13 — but the question hanging over Carlo Ancelotti's side in the days before the tournament began was whether their most important forward would be available to play. Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, had been sidelined by a right calf injury since May 17, when he sustained a grade-2 muscle strain during a Santos league fixture against Coritiba — just one day before Ancelotti announced the World Cup squad.
The injury set off weeks of medical uncertainty. Brazil's team doctors initially indicated that the 34-year-old would need between two and three weeks to recover, making the opener against Morocco a genuine race against the clock. Ancelotti confirmed that Neymar would undergo an MRI scan on Monday June 8 as the team's preparations entered their final phase.
On Tuesday, the Brazilian Football Confederation released a brief statement following the examination. It said the scan showed good progress in Neymar's treatment and that the recovery was proceeding within expected parameters, with the forward set to continue the medical and physical preparation programme designed by the national team's staff. No firm date was given for a return to the pitch.
Speaking to reporters separately, Ancelotti said he had no regrets about including Neymar in the squad despite the unresolved fitness question. The Brazil head coach indicated that the striker could still contribute in the group stage even if he is ruled out for the Morocco match, pointing to the team's remaining group fixtures against Scotland and Haiti as the series continues.
For Brazil, the stakes are clear. The five-time champions are widely regarded as one of the tournament favourites, and Neymar — despite his age and the injury — remains their most totemic attacking figure. Whether he starts on June 13 or enters the competition later in the group stage, his fitness will be closely tracked for as long as Brazil remain in the tournament.
Sources: ESPN — Brazil say MRI shows Neymar making 'good progress' on injury · ESPN — Brazil's Ancelotti: No regrets taking injured Neymar to World Cup · FIFA — Brazil suffer Neymar injury blow
