Fans hoping to catch a glimpse of Brazil superstar Neymar in action at the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament will have to wait after head coach Carlo Ancelotti ruled the superstar out of their opening game against Morocco.
The Santos forward’s inclusion made waves among the supporters, although he has been suffering an injury in recent weeks which will now force him to wait to play at the World Cup.
The five-time world champions open their campaign later today against Morocco, as they begin their quest for a sixth world title and a first in 24 years.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Ancelotti revealed that Neymar would miss the clash but could be back for their second match against Haiti.
“Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible”, Ancelotti said.
“The expectation is that he will recover and rejoin the group next week. When we call up Neymar, we call him not only for his technical quality, which is indisputable, but also for his experience and the example he can set for the young players in this group.”
The former Real Madrid manager also warned his side against complacency ahead of the clash against the African side.
“Morocco is a great team and they have complete players who perform in Europe. In order to beat them, we have to defend better and attack better, otherwise we will be in trouble”, Ancelotti added.
“It’s an honor and a big responsibility for me. I am excited and I look forward to it. Fear is good. If you go without fear, you will face the lion thinking it’s a cat.”
Brazil open their campaign at the 2026 World Cup against Morocco, before facing Haiti and Scotland in their remaining group games, hoping to seal progress to the next round.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
