Brazil Announces Concerning Neymar News 15 Days Before FIFA World Cup

Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

Brazil Announces Concerning Neymar News 15 Days Before FIFA World Cup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated May 27, 2026 8:57 PM ET

Neymar’s return to the Brazil national team was already one of the most debated decisions of Carlo Ancelotti’s early tenure. Brazil’s all-time leading scorer had not played for the Seleção since suffering a torn ACL in October 2023, and questions surrounding his physical condition followed him throughout the buildup to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ancelotti ultimately included Neymar in his 26-man squad on May 18. But the decision was met with mixed reactions, with many questioning whether Neymar’s recent appearances for Santos had been carefully managed to protect his body ahead of the tournament.

Those concerns have only intensified over the last week. Shortly after the squad announcement, reports in Brazil revealed Neymar had suffered edema in his right calf during a Santos training session. It was an issue serious enough to keep him out of Santos’ remaining matches before the World Cup.

Brazil forward Neymar (10).Yukihito Taguchi-Imagn Images

Neymar dismissed the concern publicly, insisting the injury was under control and would not affect his tournament availability.

On Wednesday, however, another cause for alarm emerged. The Brazilian Football Confederation announced that Neymar did not participate in training at Granja Comary and instead underwent additional medical testing, per ESPN Brasil’s Pedro Ivo Almeida.

The federation added that further updates would come after evaluations from Brazil’s medical staff.

Neymar’s Injury Casts Shadow on Brazil’s FIFA World Cup Campaign

At this stage, there has been no official indication that Neymar faces removal from the squad. But the situation has again placed his fitness under heavy scrutiny heading into one of the most important tournaments of his career.

Brazil enters the World Cup carrying enormous pressure. The Seleção has not lifted the trophy since 2002, extending the longest World Cup drought in the nation’s history.

Ancelotti’s attack is expected to revolve primarily around Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha, but Neymar was recalled because of the qualities nobody else in the squad fully replicates: his skill on the field and experience of carrying Brazil through major international tournaments.

The 33-year-old remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, and even after years interrupted by injuries, he still remains one of the most recognizable figures in world football.

Brazil is scheduled to face Panama on May 31 at the Maracanã before taking on Egypt on June 6 in its final World Cup friendlies. Whether Neymar participates in either friendly could provide the clearest indication yet of where his recovery truly stands.

Brazil will then open Group C against Morocco on June 13 before facing Haiti on June 19 and Scotland on June 24.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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