Neymar has sustained a minor calf injury but is anticipated to recover in time to join Brazil’s training camp next week, ahead of the World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, which kicks off on 11 June.
The 34-year-old, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, was named in the squad on Monday, marking his return after an extended injury layoff that sidelined him for much of the qualifying campaign. Brazil are pursuing a record-extending sixth world title.
Much of the discussion surrounding the squad announcement focused on coach Carlo Ancelotti’s decision regarding Neymar’s inclusion.
The Italian, who took charge of Brazil last year, had not previously recalled the former Barcelona and Paris St Germain attacker, who now plays for Santos and is set to feature in his fourth World Cup.
“Neymar has a minor calf injury, an oedema,” Santos’ head of medical services Rodrigo Zogaib told Brazil’s ge.globo on Wednesday.
“But, according to our planning, his progress will allow him to be fit next week when he will join up with the national team.”
Neymar, who boasts 79 goals in 128 international appearances and has not played for Brazil since 2023, continues to face scrutiny over his fitness and form.
His tenure at Saudi club Al-Hilal was marred by injuries, and he has struggled to regain his best form since returning to boyhood club Santos last year. He missed Santos’ 2-2 home draw with San Lorenzo in the Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday.
Brazil will open their World Cup campaign against Morocco on 13 June in New Jersey, before facing Haiti and Scotland in Group C. They are also scheduled to play warm-up matches against Panama on 31 May and Egypt in the build-up to the tournament.
Brazil have not won the World Cup since 2002, and have failed to make it beyond the quarter-finals in the last two editions of the tournament.
Back in 2018, they were eliminated by Belgium in the last eight, while four years ago they suffered penalty shootout heartbreak against Croatia, who went on to be knocked out by eventual champions Argentina in the semi-finals.
