Brazil Under Pressure as Neymar Misses Haiti Match

Kathmandu — Brazil forward Neymar will miss the team’s second FIFA World Cup group match against Haiti as he continues to recover from a calf injury, the Brazilian Football Confederation has confirmed.

The 34-year-old will not travel with the squad to Philadelphia for the Group C fixture. Instead, he will remain in New Jersey to continue the final phase of his rehabilitation, using hotel and training-center facilities under the supervision of Brazil’s medical and fitness staff.

Neymar suffered the calf injury while playing for Santos on May 17 and has not yet returned to full competitive fitness. Although he recently resumed light physical work and spent some time with his teammates in training, he has still not completed full regular sessions with the squad.

Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, with 79 international goals, Neymar remains one of the most influential players in the national team’s modern history. However, his fitness has become a major concern for Brazil during the tournament. He was included in the World Cup squad despite the injury, but he did not feature in Brazil’s opening match.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti and Brazil’s medical team appear unwilling to rush his return. The decision reflects a cautious approach, particularly given Neymar’s recent injury record and the physical demands of a long tournament.

Ancelotti’s decision to include Neymar in the squad has already generated debate in Brazil. Critics have questioned whether a player with limited recent match fitness should occupy a place in the World Cup team, while supporters argue that Neymar’s experience, creativity and ability to change a match still make him valuable if he can recover in time.

Brazil began its campaign with a 1–1 draw against Morocco, leaving the five-time world champion under pressure to secure a strong result against Haiti. A win would help Brazil strengthen its position in the group and ease early concerns about its attacking rhythm.

In Neymar’s absence, Brazil will rely more heavily on its other attacking options. Players such as Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Raphinha are expected to carry greater responsibility in chance creation and finishing.

The immediate priority for Brazil is to manage Neymar’s recovery without increasing the risk of a setback. The coaching staff will hope he can become available later in the group stage or, at the latest, for the knockout rounds.

For now, Neymar’s absence weakens Brazil’s attacking depth, but the decision not to play him against Haiti is being viewed as a risk-management measure. In a tournament where fitness and squad balance are as important as individual talent, Brazil has chosen caution over urgency.