Brazil have confirmed that Neymar will not feature in their second group-stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Haiti as the forward continues his recovery from injury.
The Brazilian Football Confederation announced that the 34-year-old will not travel with the squad to Philadelphia for Friday’s fixture and will instead remain at the team’s base in New Jersey.
The decision means Neymar will play no part in the encounter as Brazil continue their Group C campaign.
In a statement, the federation said: “He will stay in New Jersey to optimise the final phase of his recovery process, making use of the excellent structures of The Ridge hotel and the Columbia Park training centre.”
The move represents a change from the initial plan outlined by head coach Carlo Ancelotti and his technical staff.
Brazil had originally intended for Neymar to remain integrated with the squad, gradually increasing his workload while travelling with the team during the tournament.
However, the medical department has opted for a more cautious approach to ensure the Santos forward completes the final stages of his rehabilitation under controlled conditions.
Although Neymar returned to the training pitch earlier this week and participated in warm-up activities with his teammates, he is still working under a modified programme.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star continues to be managed carefully as Brazil seek to avoid any setback ahead of the knockout stages.
Attention has now shifted to Brazil’s final group match against Scotland on June 24, although Neymar’s availability for that fixture remains uncertain.
Ancelotti and his coaching staff are understood to be prioritising the player’s long-term fitness, with the aim of having Brazil’s all-time leading scorer fully available should the five-time world champions progress beyond the group stage.
The final decision on Neymar’s return is expected to depend on his response to upcoming technical and tactical training sessions in New Jersey.
