Neymar injury update: Ancelotti relaxed over the availability of a star striker for the World Cup

Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti is in no hurry to bring star player Neymar back from his calf injury, the Italian said on Tuesday as his team landed in the United States ahead of the World Cup.

Ancelotti had previously said Neymar would be fit for the Selecao’s «first or second» group match at the global extravaganza in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Last week, Brazilian team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar revealed that 34-year-old Neymar had suffered a calf injury and would be out for three weeks.

Five-time winner Brazil starts its World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13.

“He is making good progress, he is doing well, we are not in a hurry,” Ancelotti said after Brazil arrived in Newark.

Neymar’s inclusion in Ancelotti’s 26-man squad was something of a surprise as he has not played for his country for almost three years and has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons.

He is Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 games for the Selecao. This will be his fourth World Cup.

Brazil comes to the World Cup much less feared than in most previous editions.

The team finished fifth in the South American qualifying, losing to France, Japan and Bolivia last year.

But Ancelotti insisted his team will be a force to be reckoned with in North America.

“We want to compete with opponents, try to do our best, work hard – everyone knows what the expectations are from Brazil,” he said.

“Everyone knows there are no favorites, there are some strong teams and I think Brazil can compete with anyone.”

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Brazil may not have the kind of presence of previous teams, but veteran midfielder Casemiro said those back home expect nothing less than a sixth world crown.

“There are big expectations, it will be tough, but we are very excited, we want to win,” he said.

Brazil is in group C and will play Haiti and Scotland after Morocco.

Published on June 2, 2026