New York, USA – Italian Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of the Brazilian national team, settled the debate regarding Neymar Jr.’s participation in the anticipated match against Morocco, confirming the absence of the “Seleção” captain from the team’s opening match in the 2026 World Cup.
The Brazilian national team will begin its World Cup campaign with a tough match against its Moroccan counterpart in the third group, in a match that will be held at the New York New Jersey stadium in the United States of America.
During the pre-match press conference, Ancelotti revealed the latest developments regarding Neymar’s physical condition, confirming that the player is continuing his treatment and rehabilitation program in order to return to the field as soon as possible.
The Italian coach said: “Neymar is working very hard to recover quickly, and we expect him to be ready to join the team next week”.
Ancelotti’s statements confirm the Brazilian star’s absence from the match against Morocco, with the possibility of his participation in subsequent matches to be determined based on his response to the treatment program in the coming days.
Neymar’s absence represents a technical blow to the Brazilian national team, especially since he is one of the most experienced players in the team, but the coaching staff is confident in the current group’s ability to make a strong start in the tournament.
Neymar’s return to the Brazilian national team squad before the World Cup was widely welcomed by fans, who rely on his experience and great potential to lead the “Seleção” in its journey towards competing for the world title.
