Brazil forward Neymar will be sidelined for two to three weeks with a Grade 2 calf injury, casting major doubt over his participation in the Selecao's World Cup 2026 opener against Morocco on June 13. The diagnosis was confirmed today (May 28) by Brazil national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar following an MRI scan.

The 34-year-old Santos captain had only joined the Brazil training camp on Tuesday, but missed Wednesday's first session due to swelling in his right calf. The follow-up tests revealed the injury is more serious than initially reported.

Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 international appearances, has not featured for the Selecao since 2023 after struggling with multiple injuries — most notably an ACL tear suffered during the 2-0 loss to Uruguay in October 2023.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti included him in the 26-man squad ahead of Chelsea striker Joao Pedro and Tottenham's Richarlison, citing his improved physical condition over the past period. Making the cut means Neymar could feature at a fourth World Cup, having also represented Brazil in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

In 2014, hosting the tournament in Brazil, Neymar was famously carried off in tears on a stretcher after a back injury in the quarter-final against Colombia. History has a way of testing his World Cup dreams.

Under FIFA's tournament regulations, a player can be replaced in the World Cup squad up to one day before the team's first game. This means Ancelotti has until June 12 to make a final call if Neymar's recovery is not progressing as expected.

Additional injury concerns for Brazil: Arsenal's Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli, plus PSG captain Marquinhos, are also unavailable for the Panama friendly due to the Champions League final on May 30.