Neymar’s Race Against Time to Save Brazil’s World Cup
Brazil are managing Neymar’s calf injury, targeting the knockout rounds — but Raphinha’s thigh problem deepens the Selecao’s squad concerns.
Raphinha Trouble Deepens Brazil’s Worry List
Brazil arrived at the 2026 World Cup as tournament favourites, their attacking firepower promising to dazzle America all summer. But right now, their most iconic weapon is sitting in a treatment room in New Jersey rather than training with the squad. Neymar — who last played a senior international in October 2023 before tearing his ACL — suffered a grade-two calf injury in May returning to fitness at Santos. He has been named in the squad and is working fiercely to recover, but Brazil’s medical staff are taking absolutely no chances as the Selecao head into the decisive phase of the group stage.
The Neymar situation alone would be manageable, but Brazil face a compounding problem. Raphinha — outstanding in the early group matches — sustained a right thigh injury in training this week, raising fresh doubts about his availability. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti is now performing a careful balancing act: getting results without over-extending key players. Rodrygo and Wesley are already ruled out of the entire tournament. Estevao was absent before the tournament even began. Brazil’s depth means they have not been punished yet, but one more serious injury could fundamentally change the picture as the knockout rounds approach.
Knockout Stage Is the Target for Brazil’s Star
Brazil’s medical staff are working to a very specific calendar. The plan is to have Neymar available for the round of 32, ruling him out of the remaining group matches against Haiti and potentially Scotland. He has been seen training at light intensity and the signs are encouraging, but a calf injury can turn quickly and re-injury remains a genuine risk. At 34, this is almost certainly Neymar’s last chance at World Cup glory. He missed Brazil’s painful 2022 campaign with an ankle injury. The hunger to return — and to matter — burns as intensely as ever inside the Santos number ten.
Brazil have the squad depth to navigate this moment, and Ancelotti the experience to manage rotations without losing momentum. But Neymar’s absence remains a real variable in the Selecao’s knockout prospects. If he returns firing in the last 32, Brazil’s title credentials sharpen dramatically. If he cannot make it back, the five-time champions must find another route. The next two weeks will decide everything — and millions of Brazilian fans are watching every physio update with anxious eyes.
