Neymar Jr. is not playing for Brazil in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C opener against Morocco. The 34-year-old forward, who is Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, was not included in either the starting XI or the substitutes’ bench for the high-voltage clash at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) on Saturday (Sunday, June 14 IST).
Follow Brazil vs Morocco FIFA World Cup 2026 match
Neymar, who last represented Brazil in 2023, is missing from the matchday squad due to fitness concerns. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, who has scored eight FIFA World Cup goals for Brazil, suffered a right calf injury while playing for Santos in May 2026 and has yet to regain full fitness.
On the eve of Brazil’s tournament opener,
head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Neymar’s absence from the match.
Speaking to reporters during the pre-match press conference, Ancelotti said that Neymar is expected to return to training next week.
“Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible,” Ancelotti said on Friday.
“We called him up not only for his football ability, which is indisputable, but also for the experience and example he can provide to the younger players in the squad,” he added.
Ancelotti 1st overseas manager to coach Brazil
Carlo Ancelotti entered his name in the history books on Saturday (June 14 IST) by becoming the first non-Brazilian manager to coach Brazil at a FIFA World Cup.
The 67-year-old former Italian footballer, who has managed clubs like Juventus, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli, Everton, Parma, and Reggiana since beginning his managerial career in 1995, is leading Brazil at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Brazil is Ancelotti’s first full-time national team coaching assignment. Previously, he served as Italy’s assistant coach during the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where the Azzurri finished runners-up.
In the history of the men’s FIFA World Cup, no foreign coach has ever lifted the trophy. Ancelotti, who remains the only manager to have won league titles in all five major European leagues—the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1—will be hoping to break that trend in 2026 and become the first overseas manager to win the FIFA World Cup.
