Field Level Media
13 Jun 2026, 06:10 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Caean Couto-Imagn Images)
Brazil will be without the legendary Neymar for its first World Cup group stage match due to a calf injury, Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday.
'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 will have a tall task in its opening match against 2022 World Cup semifinalists Morocco. The match will be the only one during the group stage that pits two teams currently in the top 10 of the FIFA World Rankings as Brazil stands sixth and Morocco eighth.
Neymar last played May 17 in a Brazilian league match for his club Santos as he missed all of Brazil's World Cup tuneups because of the injury. The Brazilian federation recently said the 34-year-old was making progress.
If Neymar were to make an appearance, he would become the ninth Brazilian to appear in four World Cup competitions -- joining an eight-man group that features Pele and Ronaldo. Neymar has tallied eight goals and four assists across 13 World Cup matches while helping Brazil earn one fourth-place finish and two quarterfinal appearances.
This also marks the third World Cup where Neymar has missed at least one game due to an injury.
'He inspires me,' said Brazilian teammate Vinicius Junior. 'I wish him a speedy recovery and I am looking forward to him finally being back on the pitch.'
On Saturday, Brazil will be looking to win its eighth game in nine tries against African opponents in the World Cup. The lone loss came in 2022 against Cameroon.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Milwaukee Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Milwaukee Sun.
More InformationNEW YORK CITY, New York: Elon Musk has become the world's first trillionaire after SpaceX completed a record-breaking US$75 billion...
BEIRUT, Lebanon: Iran is pursuing a calculated strategy to hold on to Lebanon as its last stronghold of influence on the Mediterranean,...
LONDON, U.K.: British Defense Minister John Healey resigned on Thursday after a dispute over military spending. He accused Prime Minister...
BELFAST, Northern Ireland: Keir Starmer said he would use the full force of the law after a night of racist violence in Belfast that...
TEL AVIV, Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu will run for re-election this year, his party said on June 10, after U.S. President Donald Trump...
TOKYO, Japan: A bear that wandered into Utsunomiya, a city just north of Tokyo, and frightened residents was captured on June 9 after...
BOSTON, Massachusetts: A federal judge has invalidated a $100,000 fee imposed by President Donald Trump on new H-1B visas, ruling that...
WASHINGTON -- After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns...
(Photo credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images) The Athletics are halfway through a six-game expedition in their future home city of Las...
(Photo credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images) Thursday's game between the Atlanta Braves and Chicago White Sox was postponed due...
(Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images) Jacob Misiorowski will put his triple-digit fastball to the test Friday when the Milwaukee...
(Photo credit: Jeffery Bennett-Imagn Images) LAS VEGAS -- The Athletics have almost two full seasons to play before they move into...
