Brazilian fans can breathe easy: Neymar is staying on the World Cup roster. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has put an end to any speculation about the superstar forward being replaced due to injury, confirming that the 26 players he selected will be the ones competing for the trophy.
Neymar suffered a Grade 2 calf strain that was expected to sideline him for at least a couple of weeks, casting doubt on his availability for Brazil's opening match. But Ancelotti, speaking through Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, made it clear there would be no changes to the squad.
“We thought he might be fit for the first World Cup match,” Ancelotti said (via ESPN.com). “If he’s not fit for the first match, he’ll be fit for the second. So we have no doubt about it. I’m not going to make any changes. The 26 players selected are the ones who will play in the World Cup.”
Brazil kicks off its campaign against Morocco on June 13, and Neymar is currently listed as doubtful for that game. If he can't go, the next opportunities come against Haiti on June 18 and Scotland on June 23. The veteran playmaker, now 34, is likely playing in his final World Cup, adding extra weight to every moment he spends on the pitch.
Ancelotti also revealed that he has spoken directly with Neymar about his role and the expectations for the tournament, signaling that the team is fully aligned despite the injury setback. The coach's unwavering support echoes the kind of loyalty seen in other sports, like when the tennis world rallied around Hailey Baptiste after her devastating knee injury.
For Brazil, the stakes couldn't be higher. The nation is chasing its sixth World Cup title—and its first since 2002. Neymar's presence, even if limited in the group stage, is seen as crucial to that quest. The decision to keep him on the roster also avoids the kind of roster drama that has plagued other teams, such as the USMNT fan fury over Pochettino's rumored exit.
The calf strain is a Grade 2 tear, meaning there's a partial rupture of muscle fibers, but Ancelotti's confidence suggests the medical staff expects a full recovery within the tournament window. Brazil's group-stage schedule gives Neymar roughly two weeks to heal before the second match.
Meanwhile, the soccer world is buzzing with other World Cup storylines, including England's warm-up match facing 50,000 empty seats in Florida and Carli Lloyd vowing to criticize the USMNT without mercy from the booth. But for Brazil, all eyes remain on No. 10.
As the tournament draws near, one thing is certain: Neymar will be on the plane to Qatar, and Ancelotti is betting everything on his star player making an impact when it matters most.
