Neymar To Miss Brazil's FIFA World Cup 2026 Opener Against Morocco

Published 12 June 2026 · sports

Neymar To Miss Brazil's FIFA World Cup 2026 Opener Against Morocco Published By, Last Updated: June 13, 2026, 04:12 IST Neymar, who has scored eight

Neymar To Miss Brazil's FIFA World Cup 2026 Opener Against Morocco Published By, Last Updated: June 13, 2026, 04:12 IST Neymar, who has scored eight FIFA World Cup goals for Brazil, suffered a right calf injury in mid-May and has not played for the five-time FIFA World Cup winners since 2023. Neymar to miss Brazil's FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Morocco. (Picture Credit: AFP) Neymar Jr., Brazil’s all-time leading scorer in international football, will miss their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Morocco on Saturday (June 13). The five-time FIFA World Cup champions are set to begin their campaign at New York New Jersey Stadium on Saturday (Sunday, June 14 IST), but according to Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti, Neymar is unavailable for the high-profile clash due to fitness concerns. Ancelotti, the first non-Brazilian to manage the most successful team in FIFA World Cup history, said Neymar is expected to return to training next week. The Brazilian forward, who has scored eight FIFA World Cup goals for his country, suffered a right calf injury in mid-May and has not played for Brazil since 2023.

“Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible," Ancelotti said on Friday. 🚨🇧🇷 BREAKING: Neymar Jr to miss Brazil vs Morocco opening game but back next week.“Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible. The expectation is that he will recover and rejoin the group next week". pic.twitter.com/8aFLuHyo11 — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 12, 2026 “We called him up not only for his football ability, which is indisputable, but also for the experience and example he can provide to the younger players in the squad," he added. After facing Morocco, who finished fourth at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Brazil will take on Haiti on Friday (Saturday, June 20 IST) in their second Group C match. Their final group-stage fixture is scheduled against the Andy Robertson-led Scotland on Wednesday (Thursday, June 25 IST). ‘Capable of competing with the very best’ Ancelotti, who is aiming to become the first overseas head coach to win the FIFA World Cup, said on Friday that Brazil have a squad capable of competing with the world’s best teams as they seek to end a 24-year wait for another global title.

Having won five UEFA Champions League titles as a club manager, the Italian will make his FIFA World Cup managerial debut with a Brazil side that has not lifted the trophy since 2002. “It’s a new experience and a new responsibility to represent the country of football," Ancelotti said ahead of Brazil’s Group C opener against Morocco. “It comes down to two words: responsibility and honour. It’s a unique and very beautiful moment in my career. We have a team that can compete with every team in the world, and we’re convinced of that. It’s a team with quality and experience, and with absolute confidence that it can compete with anyone," he added. Ancelotti also predicted a highly competitive and “balanced" World Cup and said his players were well prepared for their opening match against Morocco. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Harshit Bisht Senior Sub-editor Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist with CNN-News18 since July 1, 2024, and covers cricket with a sharp eye for records, trends, and match analysis.