Brazil’s former World Cup star Neymar is expected to be available for the team’s opening match or possibly its second World Cup game, according to coach Carlo Ancelotti. Ancelotti says Neymar, who is now with Brazilian club Santos, is not expected to feature in Brazil’s two pre-World Cup friendlies against Panama and Egypt. Both outlets report that Neymar is ruled out of those friendlies and had been sidelined for about three weeks, which has left him unavailable for the warm-up fixtures. The reports frame Ancelotti’s assessment as a fitness timeline rather than a guarantee for a specific date, with Neymar potentially returning in time for the first match or the following game. The information comes as Brazil prepares for the tournament and finalizes its squad and match readiness ahead of the World Cup period, with Neymar’s availability viewed as a key question following his recent absence.