Neymar ruled out of Brazil’s World Cup opener against Morocco | OneFootball

Brazilian icon Neymar has been ruled out of their World Cup opener with Morocco on Saturday evening.

The 34-year-old was confirmed by manager Carlo Ancelotti to not be participating in Brazil’s biggest game in Group C against the reigning African Cup of Nations champions, with expecting him to return to training next week.

Neymar scored two goals and assisted three during Brazil’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign and was also not present for their final warm-up friendly match against Egypt.

“He’s working hard to get fit as quickly as possible,” Ancelotti said.

His absence bares echoes of the injury that the winger sustained against Colombia in the round of 16 when his country hosted the tournament in 2014, though far less severe than the L3 vertebrae fracture he was revealed to have suffered.

An MRI scan prior to the tournament suggested that the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain winger would be able to help his team in their bid to secure a sixth World Cup triumph, after a calf issue saw him sidelined for several weeks.

Though his absence as one of Brazil’s greatest ever players will be felt, Ancelotti assured that his team is one that “can compete with anyone” at the tournament in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

He said: “We have a good feeling about this World Cup. We’re ready and prepared. At this point there is no clear favourite for the World Cup. Several teams will have the opportunity to compete all the way to the end.

“This is a team which can compete with anyone. We can face up to any team. We have technical quality and experience and we are absolutely confident we can face up to any team.”

Neymar, who returned to boyhood club Santos FC in January 2025, has made 128 appearances and scored 79 goals for Brazil and lifted the Confederations Cup with his national team in 2013.

Brazil’s opener with Morocco kicks off at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, at 23:00 (BST) with coverage on BBC One.

For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and favourite our page on OneFootball.