Neymar sidelined with calf injury ahead of 2026 World Cup

Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr. has been sidelined for two to three weeks following a calf injury sustained during a national team training session in Teresopolis. The 34-year-old forward, who was selected by head coach Carlo Ancelotti for the 2026 World Cup squad, was forced to leave the pitch prematurely on May 27. He was subsequently transported to a clinic in Rio de Janeiro for medical evaluation. While some reports describe the issue as mild swelling, the timing of the injury puts his participation in the tournament opener against Morocco at risk. Neymar will miss the team's scheduled pre-tournament friendly matches. His inclusion in the squad had been highly anticipated, even sparking public demonstrations in Brazil in support of his call-up. The medical team is currently monitoring his progress to determine if he will be fit for the start of the competition in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.