Brazil will be without star player Neymar for their opening group stage match of the 2026 World Cup against Morocco, Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Saturday.
Ancelotti said ahead of his first match scheduled for early Sunday morning (Mecca time) in New Jersey against the team that reached the semi-finals in the 2022 edition: "He (Neymar) is working hard to regain his fitness as quickly as possible. We hope that he will return to us in training next week."
The Italian coach, the first non-Brazilian to lead the five-time champions, explained that he called up Neymar to Brazil's squad for the 2026 World Cup not only for his football skills, but also for his experience.
He added, in comments reported by the British news agency PA Media: "He can be a good role model for the young players in our team."
Brazil will play their second and third group stage matches against Haiti on June 19 and Scotland on June 24.
Neymar, 34, is still suffering from a calf muscle injury, and the Brazilian Football Confederation recently confirmed that the player is making progress in his recovery.
The world's most expensive player so far missed training the day before the Morocco match, and the Santos striker had already missed two friendlies against Panama and Egypt after his surprise call-up by Ancelotti.
