FILE IMAGE: Neymar suffered the injury while playing for Santos. | Photo Credit: AFP

Brazil has suffered a blow before the start of its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign as Neymar Jr.’s injury is set to rule him out of action for at least two-three weeks.

According to news reports, Neymar, who is recovering from an ⁠injury in his right calf, will miss Brazil’s two pre-tournament friendlies and is in doubt for the opening Group C against Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey.

An MRI scan “identified a grade two muscle injury... our expectation is that he will be available in two to three weeks,” Lasmar said at Brazil’s pre-tournament training centre just outside Rio de Janeiro.

According to the CBF, the 34-year-old did not take part in the closed session at their facilities in Granja Comary and was referred to ‌a private clinic in Teresopolis for imaging tests.

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Neymar, who plays for his boyhood club Santos, hasn’t played for the national team since 2023 and was a surprise pick by head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

With inputs from PTI

Published on May 28, 2026