Supervisor Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Neymar will miss Brazil’s opening match on the 2026 World Cup, however expects him to return throughout the group stage.
The Selecao will start the match on Saturday, taking up Morocco on the MetLife Stadium within the first match of Group C.
Neymar injured his calf simply earlier than the match, and his participation within the opening match is doubtful, so he’s at present absent.
Brazil face Haiti on June nineteenth earlier than finishing the group stage towards Scotland on June twenty fourth, and Ancelotti is optimistic that Neymar will characteristic in each video games.
Ancelotti mentioned of Neymar: “He’s working onerous to get match as quickly as doable. I hope he can return to full coaching subsequent week.”
Focus, depth and togetherness in every coaching session. The countdown to his World Cup debut continues. pic.twitter.com/iBkae8eAzS
— Brazil (@CBF_Futebol) June 10, 2026
This shall be Ancelotti’s first World Cup expertise as a head coach. He’s the primary non-Brazilian to guide the Selecao on this match.
Brazil and Morocco will meet for the second time in a World Cup, with Brazil profitable 3-0 within the group stage in 1998, when Ronaldo Nazario and Rivaldo scored their first World Cup targets.
Brazil has gained seven of its eight World Cup matches towards African opponents, with the one exception being a 1-0 loss to Cameroon in 2022.
This match can also be the one group stage match between two groups at present within the high 10 of the FIFA world rankings (Brazil sixth, Morocco eighth).
Ancelotti added: “This workforce can compete with anybody.”
“We will play towards any workforce. We have now the technical high quality and expertise and are completely assured that we are able to play towards any workforce.”
“We be ok with this World Cup. We’re prepared. There is no such thing as a clear favourite to win the World Cup in the mean time. There shall be a possibility for a number of groups to struggle till the top.”
