Brazil star Neymar is on course to shake off a calf injury and could even be ready for the opening match of the World Cup, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Saturday.
After reports that the 34-year-old forward could be out for three weeks, Ancelotti insisted Neymar was working on his fitness ahead of the June 13 match against Morocco in New Jersey.
“We think he will be back soon and if he doesn’t make it to the opener he will be there for the second game,” said Italian Ancelotti.
Former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar, now at Brazilian club Santos, will miss Brazil’s two pre-World Cup friendlies against Panama and Egypt.
Brazil plays Panama at Maracana Stadium on Sunday before setting up camp in New Jersey on Monday and playing a final warm-up against Egypt in Cleveland on June 6.
Neymar’s inclusion in Ancelotti’s 26-man squad for the World Cup was something of a surprise as he had not been picked for the national team for almost three years due to a combination of injuries and poor form.
However, Neymar is Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 games for the Selecao. This will be his fourth World Cup.
Published on May 30, 2026
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