Neymar Grade-Two Calf Injury Rules Brazil Star Out of World Cup Opener Against Morocco

Brazil’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been dealt a significant blow after the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed on Thursday that Neymar has sustained a grade-two calf injury, ruling him out of the squad’s upcoming pre-tournament friendlies and casting doubt over his availability for the nation’s opening group-stage fixture.

CBF team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar delivered the update ahead of a scheduled players’ press conference at the Granja Comary training complex. “Neymar reported for duty yesterday here at Granja Comary, underwent all the medical tests, which concluded with an MRI scan revealing a grade-two calf injury, not just swelling. He is expected to be cleared in two to three weeks,” Lasmar said.

The 34-year-old forward, who has scored 79 goals across 128 international appearances to become Brazil’s all-time top scorer, will miss Sunday’s friendly against Panama at the Maracanã as well as a subsequent warm-up match against Egypt in Cleveland. Based on the projected recovery timeline of two to three weeks, he is also all but certain to be absent for Brazil’s World Cup Group C opener against African champions Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey.

Brazil’s group-stage schedule places them alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland in Group C. The clash with Morocco carries particular weight given the North African side’s status as continental champions and their historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Neymar’s return to the national setup had only recently been confirmed, with his recall last week generating considerable attention. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker had been absent from the squad throughout the tenure of head coach Carlo Ancelotti, making his re-inclusion one of the more talked-about storylines in Brazil’s World Cup build-up. The injury now threatens to overshadow what was intended to be a high-profile return.

The setback adds to a well-documented injury history that has plagued the forward in recent seasons. Since joining Santos on his return to Brazilian football, Neymar has struggled for consistent fitness and form, making his World Cup availability a persistent source of uncertainty ahead of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The 2026 World Cup is the first edition to feature 48 teams, expanding from the traditional 32-team format. Brazil, five-time World Cup winners and perennial contenders, will be hoping Neymar can recover in time to feature in at least the latter stages of the group phase, with their second and third group games potentially offering a more realistic return target depending on the pace of his rehabilitation.