Brazil's Neymar (calf) may miss World Cup opener

Field Level Media|published: 05/28/2026, 12:47pm EDT

Neymar in Santos' match against Cruzeiro at Estadio Urbano Caldeira, Santos, Brazil, on Dec. 7, 2025.

Neymar is expected to be sidelined up to three weeks with a right calf injury, putting his availability in doubt for Brazil's opening match of the World Cup.

The forward has been out of action since May 17. Brazil's World Cup opening match is against Morocco on June 13 in East Rutherford, N.J.

"He arrived at Granja Comary (Wednesday), underwent a full medical examination, which included an MRI scan that revealed a Grade 2 calf injury, not just swelling," Brazil national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said on Thursday. "He is expected to be fit to play in two to three weeks."

Neymar, who is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, rejoined his boyhood club Santos last year after a stay with Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal.

Neymar, 34, has collected eight goals through his three World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022) and will try to guide the Selecao to their first title since 2002.

Drawn into Group C, Brazil also will face Haiti on June 20 and Scotland on June 24.

--Field Level Media