“Neymar will be in New Jersey, undergoing physical therapy treatment and intensifying the physical recovery program,” the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) reported in a statement on June 4.
Santos’ number 10, one of the main novelties in coach Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, arrived at the Canarinha camp already injured, after suffering discomfort in his right calf on May 17 during a Brasileirão match.
His club initially reduced the problem to “an edema” and Ancelotti included him in the 26-player list a day later.
However, the CBF decided to carry out its own medical evaluations and subjected the footballer to an MRI that confirmed a grade II muscle injury, with an estimated recovery time of between two and three weeks.
Thus, Neymar, 34, already missed last Sunday’s friendly against Panama (6-2), at the Maracaná stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where he watched the match from the bench, and will not be available for the final test against Egypt.
His presence also raises doubts for Verdeamarela’s debut in the World Cup against Morocco, scheduled for June 13 in New Jersey.
Since the start of training camp on May 27, Neymar has worked out mainly in the gym and has barely done light work on the pitch.
Despite doubts about his physical condition, Ancelotti guaranteed the presence of the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player in the World Cup, which will begin in a week in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“To be clear, he will be with us (…) We are completely sure that we are not going to change anyone. The chosen players are these 26 and these 26 will play in the World Cup,” declared the Italian coach.
The five-time world champion will play the entire group stage of the 2026 World Cup on American soil.
They will debut in Group C on June 13 against Morocco, in New Jersey. They will then play against Haiti on June 19, in Philadelphia, and will close the group stage against Scotland on June 24, in Miami.