Neymar is expected to recover from a minor calf injury in time to join the Brazil national football team training camp ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 34 year old forward was included in Brazil’s squad earlier this week, marking his return to the national team after a lengthy injury absence which kept him out for large parts of the qualification campaign.
According to Santos FC head of medical services Rodrigo Zogaib, Neymar is dealing with a minor calf oedema but is progressing well and is expected to be fit next week when he joins the national squad.
The decision to include Neymar had been one of the main talking points ahead of the squad announcement by Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti, who took charge of Brazil last year, had not previously recalled the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain F.C. forward.
Neymar, Brazil’s all time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 international appearances, has not played for the national team since 2023.
The attacker’s recent years have been affected by injuries, including during his spell with Al Hilal SFC, before returning to Santos.
He was unavailable for Santos’ 2-2 draw against San Lorenzo de Almagro in the Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday.
Brazil will open their World Cup campaign against Morocco national football team on 13 June in New Jersey before facing Haiti national football team and Scotland national football team in Group C.
The team is also scheduled to play warm up matches against Panama national football team and Egypt national football team before the tournament begins.
