Brazil’s forward Neymar will not travel with the national team for the second World Cup 2026 group match against Haiti in Philadelphia on Friday. Multiple outlets report that he continues recovering from a right calf injury diagnosed in late May, and he is staying in New Jersey to complete the later stages of rehabilitation. Neymar, who is 34, missed Brazil’s opening Group C match against Morocco, which ended 1-1. AFP reports that he has returned to training with Brazil only this week and that Brazil’s coaching staff is taking a cautious approach, led by coach Carlo Ancelotti, to avoid rushing his return and risking his availability for later matches in the tournament.
Brazil’s federation states that Neymar will remain in New Jersey for recovery work. Other reports add that he has had limited club appearances for Santos this year due to fitness issues. Brazil’s schedule includes a final group match against Scotland on June 24 in Miami, as reported by AFP.
