Star Brazilian footballer Raphinha, who suffered a thigh injury during Brazil’s second Group C match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Haiti on Friday (Saturday IST) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, is likely to remain sidelined for at least two weeks.
According to a statement released by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) on Saturday, the FC Barcelona star, who is yet to score a goal for Brazil in this year’s FIFA World Cup, will undergo “intensive treatment” after sustaining a muscle injury to his right thigh.
The Brazilian football confederation did not say how long Raphinha would be sidelined for, but Brazilian website Globo Esporte reported that he could be fit to return for a possible game in the Round of 16, which starts
in two weeks’ time.
“The player (Raphinha) will follow an intensive treatment protocol under the supervision of the Brazilian national team’s medical team, with the goal of recovering and returning to action as soon as possible,” the CBF said in a statement.
🚨 BREAKING: Raphinha has a muscle injury in his right thigh, Brazil tests have confirmed.
Raphinha will now undergo intensive treatment, staying with Brazil squad at the World Cup and trying to recover for later stages.
Rapha will miss the upcoming game vs Scotland. pic.twitter.com/ls4IGHkIVL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 20, 2026
Raphinha struggled with various injuries to his right thigh last season.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti could turn to either of the 19-year-old duo of Endrick and Rayan, or Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli to replace Raphinha in their third and final Group C match against Scotland on Wednesday in Miami.
Brazil win 3-0
Brazil faced Haiti in their second Group C match of FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday and secured 3-0 win. Matheus Cunha scored the first two goals of the match for the five-time champions and Vinicius Jr. also scored one them in the first half itself.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti was very with his team’s display and said Brazil produced a “complete performance” in 3-0 win over Haiti and will continue to improve ahead of the knockout phase.
Brazil’s win lifted them to the top of Group C on four points, level with Morocco but ahead on goal difference, and left them all but assured of a place in the last 32 with one game remaining.
“It was a complete match, much better in the first half. In the second half we had more control, but we created plenty of chances and could have scored more goals,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“It was what we expected from this game: better quality, fewer mistakes, more effectiveness in attack and more control at the back. In terms of intensity it was a good match. Obviously we still have to improve, and we will improve to be ready for the knockout stage,” he added.
Neymar to play vs Scotland
Ancelotti, who is the first non-Brazilian to coach Brazil in FIFA World Cup, also delivered encouraging news about Neymar on Friday by suggesting that he is likely to return against Scotland.
“Neymar will train individually tomorrow, then rejoin the group on Monday, and he will be ready for the game against Scotland,” Ancelotti said.
