Neymar ruled out of Brazil’s World Cup match against Haiti
Brazil’s football federation said the forward will stay in New Jersey as he continues to recover from a calf injury.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
Neymar will miss Brazil’s second World Cup game, leaving the five-time champions without their top international scorer for the Group C match against Haiti. The Brazilian football confederation said Thursday that a lingering calf injury will keep him from traveling with the squad to Philadelphia.
The federation said Neymar will remain in New Jersey for the final stage of his recovery. According to the confederation, the 34-year-old forward will continue treatment and training work at the facilities of Brazil’s team hotel.
Neymar has not yet taken part in a full team training session since joining Brazil’s World Cup squad with an injured right leg, the Associated Press reported. He returned to the training field Tuesday for physical conditioning work, then joined parts of Wednesday’s session with teammates.
Brazil’s players applauded Neymar when he came onto the field Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. The federation’s decision means he will sit out at least the first two matches of Brazil’s tournament.
Injury dates back to Santos match
Neymar injured his right calf while playing for Santos on May 17, the Associated Press reported. He had tests on the calf Monday to assess how far the injury had healed.
The forward had already been dealing with questions over his fitness before the Haiti match. The Brazilian confederation had previously confirmed that the calf problem kept him out of Brazil’s World Cup opener.
Brazil began its campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco on Saturday. The result put added attention on the availability of Neymar, who is seeking to play in his fourth World Cup.
Debate over his selection
Neymar’s place in the squad had been debated in Brazil before the tournament, according to the Associated Press. Coach Carlo Ancelotti included him despite the injury concerns.
Neymar remains Brazil’s leading scorer in men’s international football, with 79 goals. That total moved him past Pelé, who scored 77 for the national team.
His World Cup history began in 2014, when Brazil hosted the tournament. His latest injury has delayed his chance to take the field in the 2026 edition, with Brazil now preparing to face Haiti without him.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.