Neymar Out! Brazil Travel Without Injured Star as World Cup Near

Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil friendly against Egypt – their final World Cup warm-up – as the Santos superstar continues to fight his way into full fitness.

Rather than traveling to Cleveland alongside his teammates for the friendly match, Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed in an official statement on Thursday that the forward will remain at the team’s temporary headquarters in New Jersey.

The decision was made to allow the 34-year-old to continue a specialised recovery programme. The medical staff has opted for “physiotherapy treatment and intensification of physical recovery” rather than the strain of travel, keeping the star in a controlled environment as the clock ticks down toward the Selecao’s opening match of the tournament.

Neymar has been out of action for almost three weeks, when he suffered a grade two calf strain.

Neymar Jr. stands for the national anthem prior to the international friendly match between Brazil and Panama. (Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images)

The injury occurred while playing for Santos in a 3-0 defeat against Coritiba at the Neo Quimica Arena in the Campeonato Brasileiro, and he has been unable to take to the pitch for either club or country since that afternoon.

Brazilian medical department are now taking every precaution to ensure the team’s most creative outlet can play some part in the upcoming global showpiece in North America.

While many have criticized Brazil’s decision to include Neymar in the team, Ancelotti has confirmed that the former PSG and Barcelona star will lead Brazil into the 2026 World Cup regardless of the calf injury that has hampered his preparation.

He told reporters ahead of Brazil’s previous friendly against Panama: “To be clear, Neymar is going to be with us. We think he can recover for the first match [against Morocco] and, if not, for the second [against Haiti]. No doubt that these 26 players are going to play in the World Cup.”

Beyond the physical recovery, Ancelotti has held individual meetings with Neymar to discuss tactical expectations for the tournament in North America.

Brazil will kick off their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13. They will continue their campaign with a second match against Haiti on June 19, before they wrap up the round against Scotland on June 24.