Ancelotti: Neymar to Return to Squad Next Week

Brazil national team head coach Carlo Ancelotti has updated the biggest question mark at the World Cup camp. Brazilian star Neymar Jr. will not be able to play in the Morocco match to be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday, June 13. Ancelotti stated that the Santos star is expected to rejoin the team next week.

The Italian head coach's statement was crafted in an optimistic tone. In Ancelotti's words: "The expectation is that he will recover and rejoin the group next week." The official statement made by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) shared the MRI results: it was emphasised that the treatment showed good progress within expected parameters; it was announced that the player would continue the recovery and physical preparation process prepared by the national team's medical staff.

Neymar had stepped away from the pitches due to a second-degree muscle injury he sustained in his right calf in a match he played for Santos on May 17. His club initially defined the injury as oedema, but the detailed examination conducted by Brazil's national team medical staff revealed a more serious muscle problem. The 34-year-old star player could not play in the warm-up matches where Brazil beat Panama 6-2 and won 2-1 against Egypt. Despite his absence from the squad, Brazil showed their attacking depth in the warm-up period.

Ancelotti's decision to keep Neymar in the squad also received the dressing room's support. Team leaders, especially Casemiro, stood by Ancelotti for the Santos star to remain in the squad. Neymar's creativity is seen as a critical parameter in Brazil's tactical setup.

Brazil will compete in Group C of the 2026 World Cup against Morocco, Haiti and Scotland. The opening match will be played against Morocco at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, June 13; 02:00 Turkey time (June 14). The other matches will be against Haiti on June 19 and Scotland on June 24. Neymar's return possibility is high for the Haiti match; in this case, the Brazilian star will start his World Cup adventure in the second match of the group stage.

Image: ouest-france.fr