As Brazil prepare for their crucial Group C clash against Haiti in the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday, all eyes remain on Neymar, whose recovery from a right calf injury continues to dominate headlines.

The 34-year-old Santos forward, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, suffered a Grade II muscle strain on May 17 while playing for his club. He was surprisingly included in Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad despite the setback but missed the tournament opener against Morocco.

Brazil kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco in Group C on June 13, with Vinícius Júnior equalizing after an early concession. The result left the five-time champions needing positive results in their remaining matches against Haiti (June 19 in Philadelphia) and Scotland (June 24) to secure advancement to the knockout rounds. Ancelotti’s side has shown attacking flair through stars like Vinícius, Raphinha, and young prospect Endrick, but the absence of Neymar has been felt in creativity and experience.

Neymar Latest Injury Update

Latest updates from Brazil’s training base in Morristown, New Jersey, provide cautious optimism. Neymar briefly joined full training on Wednesday, marking his first session with teammates since the injury. He underwent repeated medical examinations earlier in the week, with results indicating steady but incomplete progress.

Neymar is certain to miss the Haiti match and is unlikely to feature against Scotland as well. The plan is to have him available for the round of 16 or beyond, assuming Brazil progresses. Ancelotti has emphasized patience, stating that Neymar’s technical quality and leadership make him worth the wait. The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed he will remain in New Jersey to continue targeted rehabilitation rather than traveling to Philadelphia.

His inclusion in the squad was seen by some as a sentimental choice honoring his legacy, yet it has fueled debates about squad depth and risk management.

Haiti, making a rare World Cup appearance after a 52-year absence, enters the matchup as underdogs. They lost narrowly to Scotland in their opener and will look to frustrate Brazil with defensive organization at Lincoln Financial Field.