"Favorite to Win" team faces latest bad news ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
On 28 May 2026, Globo, a prominent Brazilian media outlet, reported that Neymar, the 34-year-old superstar striker from Santos, may miss the early matches for Brazil in the 2026 World Cup.
Neymar recently suffered a calf injury shortly after Carlo Ancelotti announced Brazil’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, on 18 May.
Sources revealed that Neymar will need 2-3 weeks to recover, likely causing him to miss Brazil’s first one or two matches in Group C, where they will face Morocco on 13 June and Haiti on 19 June.
Brazil’s coaching staff are closely monitoring Neymar’s injury, while FIFA has allowed all 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup finals to make squad changes until 1 June.
Brazil is historically one of the World Cup favorites, having competed in all 23 tournaments and winning five titles, though their last championship dates back 24 years to the 2002 World Cup.
