Carlo Ancelotti issues worrying Neymar fitness update ahead of Brazil World Cup opener

Brazil have confirmed they will be without star forward Neymar when they face Morocco in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup on Saturday night.

The 34-year-old was a surprise inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti's team for the tournament, but will be unavailable for what looks like their toughest group stage game. Morocco made history at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when they became the first African side to reach the semi-finals of the competition.

Neymar has been struggling with a recent calf injury in the build-up to the World Cup and has yet to return to full training. Ancelotti is hopeful that the football legend will train with the rest of the squad next week, though he is also considered a doubt for the second Group C match against Haiti next Saturday, 20 June.

"Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible," Ancelotti said in his pre-match press conference.

"The expectation is that he will recover and rejoin the group next week. When we call up Neymar, we call him not only for his technical quality, which is indisputable, but also for his experience and the example he can set for the young players in this group."

Brazil hope Neymar will be back to full fitness when they finish their group stage campaign against Scotland on Wednesday, 24 June. If that is the case, he could then feature for them during any knockout matches as the Selecao go in search of a historic World Cup win.

Neymar was a controversial choice in the 26-man World Cup squad, given he has not played for the Brazil national side since 2023. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star has also struggled with injuries, but was selected ahead of Chelsea star Joao Pedro and Tottenham forward Richarlison.

There is no questioning his credentials as a Brazilian legend, though. Neymar is his nation's record goalscorer with 79 goals in 128 caps, surpassing the total of 77 goals scored by Pelé. He has also played at the three previous World Cup tournaments and hopes to make history with a fourth appearance this summer.

Neymar has six goals and four assists in 15 appearances for Santos this calendar year, where he has mainly been deployed as an attacking midfielder. He returned to his boyhood club in January 2025 on an initial short-term contract after his deal with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal was terminated by mutual consent following a severe ACL injury.

Who is in Brazil's 26-man World Cup squad?

Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Ederson, Weverton

Defenders: Marquinhos, Gabriel, Gleison Bremer, Leo Pereira, Roger Ibanez, Wesley Franca, Danilo, Alex Sandro, Douglas Santos

Midfielders: Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Fabinho, Danilo, Lucas Paqueta

Forwards: Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Luiz Henrique, Gabriel Martinelli, Neymar, Endrick, Rayan, Igor Thiago